Washington: Former President Joe Biden is receiving radiation and hormone therapy as part of a new phase of treating the aggressive form of prostate cancer he was diagnosed with after leaving office, a spokesperson said on Saturday.
“As part of a treatment plan for prostate cancer, President Biden is currently undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment,” said Biden aide Kelly Scully.
Joe Biden announced on social media that he has prostate cancer.Credit: Facebook
The 82-year-old Democrat left office in January after he had dropped his bid for re-election six months earlier following a disastrous debate against Donald Trump amid concerns about Biden’s age, health and mental fitness. Trump defeated Democrat Kamala Harris, who was Biden’s vice president.
In May, Biden’s office announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and that it had spread to his bone. The discovery came after he reported urinary symptoms.
Prostate cancers are graded for aggressiveness using what is known as a Gleason score. The scores range from 6 to 10, with 8, 9 and 10 prostate cancers behaving more aggressively. Biden’s office said his score was 9, suggesting his cancer is among the most aggressive.
Last month, Biden had surgery to remove skin cancer lesions from his forehead.
AP
