According to his office, Former President Joseph R. Biden Jr has been diagnosed with an “aggressive” type of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. The New York Times reported that Mr. Biden’s cancer “is characterized by a Gleason score of 9 with metastasis to the bone.”
The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) issued a statement on the announcement:
“We stand with Former President Biden and Former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden as they face this diagnosis. The Former President is a longtime champion in the fight to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Through the Cancer Moonshot initiative—first launched when he was Vice President and then reignited when he was President—the President prioritized both government investment in the cancer fight, as well as promoted public-private partnerships to advance progress against the disease.”
“In response to the [Former] President’s call for public-private partnership, the American Cancer Society launched the Improving Mortality from Prostate Cancer Together (IMPACT) initiative to reduce death rates from prostate cancer in all demographics and disparities for Black men by 2035 through advocacy, patient support, and research.”
“This news is a reminder about the tragic impact of prostate cancer in the United States, where about one in eight men will be diagnosed over their lifetime with prostate cancer. Although it is a highly survivable disease when caught in early stages, it is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men. Early detection is key, and we are concerned given the 5% year-over-year increase in diagnosis of men with more advanced disease. We can and must do more to prevent late-stage diagnosis and death from prostate cancer. ACS and ACS CAN are increasing our efforts in the progress against prostate cancer, and removing barriers to early detection is critical.”
