President Joe Biden has completed his course of radiation therapy for prostate cancer, which he recently marked by ringing the ceremonial bell alongside his radiation oncology care team. According to a report from People, President Biden’s daughter Ashley Biden shared the moment on her Instagram profile.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) also reported the news, with leadership involved in the former President’s treatment commenting on the update. “President Biden’s bell-ringing milestone underscores the vital role of radiation therapy in modern cancer care and is a powerful reminder of how many lives it helps improve,” said ASTRO President Neha Vapiwala, MD, FASTRO, the Eli J. Glatstein Endowed Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania—who led the team that coordinated President Biden’s treatments. “Today’s radiation treatments are more precise than ever before, allowing us to tailor care plans to each patient’s needs and offer them a highly effective treatment with less disruption to their daily life.”
The Role of Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer
For prostate cancer, modern radiation techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy and image guidance provide excellent long-term cancer control with minimal side effects. Many patients now complete treatment in just a few weeks thanks to evidence-based, shorter-course approaches.
Decades of research and progress have transformed radiation therapy into a highly personalized and well-tolerated treatment of prostate and many other cancers:
- Collaborative care: Radiation oncologists work closely with urologists, medical oncologists, and other specialists to individualize treatment based on a patient’s preferences and specific disease characteristics.
- Quality of life: Clinicians use advanced techniques to shape the radiation dose to the tumor, reducing exposure to nearby organs and preserving function in the region.
- Patient convenience: Modern “hypofractionated” approaches allow many patients to complete treatment in as few as 4 to 5 weeks, cutting time in half without compromising effectiveness.
- Enduring outcomes: For localized prostate cancer, long-term control rates with radiation therapy are comparable to those with surgery, and more than 90% of patients survive at least 5 years after treatment.
“While every patient’s experience is unique, moments like this symbolize the dedication of cancer care teams everywhere,” said Sameer Keole, MD, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors. “On behalf of the radiation oncology community, we extend our best wishes to President Biden for his continued recovery and good health.”
