Former President Joe Biden recently disclosed that his last known screening for prostate cancer occurred in 2014 when he was 71 years old and serving as vice president. This information was confirmed by a spokesperson from Biden's office on Tuesday. According to physicians and medical experts, it is not uncommon for men over the age of 70 to discontinue regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, which are the standard screenings used to assess the risk of prostate cancer.
Biden received his cancer diagnosis on Friday, as reported by his office. The diagnosis came after he underwent medical examinations due to "increasing urinary symptoms." Leaders from both political parties expressed surprise upon learning of the diagnosis on Sunday, with Biden's spokesperson describing the cancer as aggressive but manageable through hormone therapy. “The President and his family are currently reviewing treatment options with his physicians,” the statement added.
The announcement of Biden’s cancer diagnosis has led some Republicans to question whether Biden and his team were aware of his cancer last year, prior to his decision to end his reelection bid. They have suggested that it seems unlikely for such an aggressive form of cancer to have gone undetected at that time. However, no evidence has been presented to support these claims.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which sets guidelines for preventive health procedures, recommends against routine PSA screening for men aged 70 and older. This guideline is based on the understanding that prostate cancer typically progresses slowly, making such tests unnecessary for older men. However, according to Biden's office, the form of cancer he has been diagnosed with is notably aggressive.
Biden's cancer diagnosis has sparked discussions surrounding a separate issue: his decision to pursue reelection despite concerns regarding his age and mental acuity. Biden continued with his 2024 reelection campaign until a notably poor performance in a debate against now-President Donald Trump in June prompted his withdrawal from the race.
A new book titled “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,” authored by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, alleges that Biden’s aides concealed his declining health from the public. In response, Biden has strongly refuted the notion that he is in decline or that any information has been hidden from the public. These allegations have sparked significant introspection among Democrats about the party's management of last year's presidential election.
Biden's late decision to withdraw left Vice President Kamala Harris with a limited timeframe to launch her campaign for the presidential election, which ultimately resulted in her losing to Trump.
