President Joe Biden’s recent announcement regarding his prostate cancer diagnosis has reignited discussions surrounding his health during his tenure in the White House. The 82-year-old commander-in-chief revealed that he received this diagnosis after consulting a doctor about urinary symptoms.
Medical experts have expressed surprise that the aggressive form of cancer, which has reportedly metastasized to his bones, was not identified earlier. However, some emphasize that cancers can progress rapidly without manifesting symptoms, and it is important to note that routine screening is not typically recommended for men over the age of 70.
Trump calls for transparency on Biden’s health
Former President Donald Trump commented on Biden’s diagnosis, expressing disappointment over what he perceived as a lack of transparency from the Biden administration. He stated,
“I think it is very sad actually. I am surprised that the public wasn’t notified a long time ago,”
adding, “It could take years to get to this level of danger. So, look, it’s a very, very sad situation. I feel very badly about it, and I think people should try and find out what happened.”
Biden has not yet responded to Trump’s remarks, which come at a time when his aides are reportedly under scrutiny for allegedly withholding information about his declining health as he prepares for the 2024 election. Critics, including some Republicans, argue that Biden’s age and health render him unfit for office.
Concerns about Biden’s health during presidency
In a new book titled Original Sin, journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson reveal alarming details about Biden’s cognitive and physical state during his final year in office. The authors claim that Biden struggled to recognize prominent figures, including actor and Democratic donor George Clooney, and appeared to forget the names of key aides. They note,
“Biden’s physical deterioration – most apparent in his halting walk – had become so severe that there were internal discussions about putting the president in a wheelchair, but they couldn’t do so until after the election.”
These revelations have prompted senior Democrats to face tough questions regarding their handling of Biden’s health concerns during the election campaign. Senator Chris Murphy remarked, “It was a mistake for Democrats to not listen to the voters earlier.”
Following the announcement of Biden’s health issues, Vice President JD Vance extended his well wishes but also questioned whether Biden’s medical team was forthcoming about the true nature of his health. He stated, “This is not child’s play, and we can pray for good health, but also recognise that if you’re not in good enough health to do the job, you shouldn’t be doing the job.”
Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, an oncologist who served as a COVID adviser during Biden’s presidency, suggested that the cancer may have been present long before the diagnosis was made. He claimed, “He did not develop in the last 100, 200 days. He had it while he was president. He probably had it at the start of his presidency in 2021. Yes, I don’t think there’s any disagreement about that.”
The U.S. medical guidelines do not recommend regular blood screenings for men over 70, as prostate cancers can often grow slowly and the potential harms of testing may outweigh the benefits.
Prior to this diagnosis, Biden had been treated for benign prostate enlargement, and in 2019, his campaign had stated that he had never been diagnosed with prostate cancer. This has raised questions about the extent of medical evaluations he received during his presidency. Dr. Chris George from the Northwestern Health Network expressed skepticism, saying, “I would assume the former president gets a very thorough physical every year. It’s sort of hard for me to believe that he’s had a (blood test) within the past year that was normal.”
Conversely, Dr. Robert Figlin, the interim director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer, cautioned against jumping to conclusions about missed diagnoses, explaining that the aggressive presentation of Biden’s cancer is not necessarily uncommon. Prostate cancer remains the second most prevalent cancer among men, as per the Cleveland Clinic, with statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that 13 out of every 100 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives, and 2 to 3 men will ultimately succumb to the disease.