Former US President Joe Biden starts 5 week treatment as cancer spreads to bones

Washington: Former United States President Joe Biden has started radiation treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, which was diagnosed earlier in May. The 82-year-old also underwent surgery in September to remove cancerous cells, with the radiation therapy expected to last five weeks.

What treatment is Biden undergoing?

According to Bloomberg, which cited a spokesperson for the former president, “As part of a treatment plan for prostate cancer, President Biden is currently undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment.” NBC News also reported that the radiation course is expected to continue for five weeks.

In early September, Biden underwent Mohs surgery to remove cancerous skin cells.

When was the diagnosis made?

Biden’s prostate cancer was first made public in May. At the time, his spokesperson Kelly Scully stated that the cancer “had metastasised to the bone and was hormone sensitive.”

Because it was hormone sensitive, his condition could respond to hormone therapy, a treatment that works by stopping testosterone from being produced or reaching the cancer cells.

What do experts say about the treatment?

The American Cancer Society notes that radiation therapy for advanced prostate cancer that has spread to the bones can help manage the disease for as long as possible and ease or prevent symptoms.

How did Biden respond to his diagnosis?

In May, Biden’s office confirmed that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had spread to his bones after he experienced urinary issues and doctors found a prostate nodule.

At the time, Biden shared a post on X saying, “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places.” His son, Beau Biden, died of cancer in 2015.

What about his political career?

Biden’s health had drawn significant public attention, especially after the release of a book highlighting his declining condition during his campaign for re-election against Donald Trump last year.

In July 2024, Biden announced that he would withdraw from the presidential race following a debate performance against Trump, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.

(With AP inputs)