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Joe Biden at the International African-American Museum on January 19, 2025.
Last week, the former U.S. President discovered a "small nodule" on his prostate.
Former U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an "aggressive form" of prostate cancer after discovering a "small nodule" on his prostate six days ago.
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Less than a week ago — on Monday, May 12 — The New York Times reported on the discovery of a small nodule on Biden's prostate. When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Biden "declined to elaborate on any additional details" about the diagnosis.
On Sunday, May 18, Biden and his team changed their approach and issued a concerning health update about the former president. The statement reads:
"Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.
On Friday he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone. While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.
The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians."
This health update follows the intense presidential race of 2024 between Biden and Donald Trump, in which Biden's age, mental fitness, and physical wellness were constantly targeted by Trump and his running mate, JD Vance.
Initially, the Democratic Party stood by Biden's reelection campaign. However, that rhetoric swiftly changed around July 2024, as more and more Democrats urged Biden to drop out of the race, as reported by, The Advocate, a sister publication to Out.
Biden did drop out of the race eventually, clearing the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to run against Trump.
According to the The American Cancer Society, one in eight men "will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime."
Prostate cancer is more likely to develop in older men, the ACS notes. Specifically, prostate cancer is rare for men younger than 40. Alternatively, six in 10 prostate cancer diagnoses are from men who are 65 or older. The organization also estimates that 67 years old is the average age of men who receive these diagnoses.
Biden was in his mid-60s when elected as Vice President of the United States with Barack Obama. By the time that the Obama-Biden administration ended, Biden was in his 70s. He then ran for president in 2020 as he neared his 80s.
Prostate cancer is one of the most dangerous forms of cancer in men, UnityPoint Health reports.
1. Lung & Bronchus — 64,190 deaths in men
2. Prostate — 35,770 deaths in men
3. Colon and Rectum — 28,900 deaths in men
4. Pancreas — 27,050 deaths in men
5. Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct — 19,250 deaths in men
Additional data — updated for 2025 — from the American Cancer Society projects 313,780 new cases of prostate cancer in men in the U.S. this year, leading to an estimated 35,770 deaths.
"The number of prostate cancers diagnosed each year declined sharply from 2007 to 2014," the ACS highlights, "coinciding with fewer men being screened because of changes in screening recommendations. Since 2014, however, the incidence rate has increased by 3 percent per year."
UnityPoint Health has the following breakdown of deadliest forms of cancer in men by percent:
1. Lung and Bronchus — 20 percent
2. Prostate — 11 percent
3. Colon and Rectum — 9 percent
4. Pancreas — 8 percent
5. Liver — 6 percent
This story is still developing…
Bernardo Sim is the deputy editor of Out. He's also a staff contributor to The Advocate, PRIDE, and other equalpride publications. Born in Brazil, he currently lives in South Florida.
You can follow Bernardo Sim on Instagram. Otherwise, you can find him on Bluesky, Threads, X/Twitter, and TikTok.
Bernardo Sim is the deputy editor of Out. He's also a staff contributor to The Advocate, PRIDE, and other equalpride publications. Born in Brazil, he currently lives in South Florida.
You can follow Bernardo Sim on Instagram. Otherwise, you can find him on Bluesky, Threads, X/Twitter, and TikTok.
