Photo: Sarah Silbiger/Reuters
Former US President Joe Biden on Friday commented publicly on his health condition for the first time after being officially diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer with bone metastases. In a statement to France Press after attending a Memorial Day event, Biden said:
“The prognosis is good. I feel good. We are working on everything, and we are making progress. We are optimistic.”
Biden, who recently turned 82, assured that his treatment is under the supervision of one of the best surgeons in the world. Although the cancer has a Gleason score of 9 out of 10 – indicating a high level of aggressiveness – Biden stressed that the tumour has not affected his organs and his bones remain “strong”.
In the course of treatment, he also switched to a special diet and said:
“Our prognosis is to beat cancer.”
Biden also commented on the speculation that flared up with renewed vigour after the diagnosis was made public. Republicans, led by Donald Trump, have accused his team of concealing his health condition during his presidency. Responding to these accusations, Biden ironically said:
“I am mentally incapacitated and cannot walk,” he said, emphasising the absurdity of the accusations.
Biden also mentioned that he had no regrets about his participation in the 2024 presidential campaign, which he later withdrew from amid deteriorating health. He noted that he thought his rivals in the Democratic Party were “not strong enough” and was confident that he could have defeated them again.
On Friday, Biden took part in a memorial service to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of his son Beau Biden, who died in 2015 of brain cancer at the age of 46.
“To be honest, it’s a tough day,” he admitted.
