Former President Joe Biden diagnosed with 'aggressive' form of prostate cancer: The early warning signs and symptoms you shouldn't ignore
Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an "aggressive" form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. The 82-year-old's office shared the news on Sunday, adding that Biden had been diagnosed after experiencing urinary symptoms that led to doctors discovering a nodule on his prostate. Last Friday, Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones.
'While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,' the statement said. "The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.'
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
The statement noted that Biden's cancer was "characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5)." A Gleason score is a grading system for prostate cancer that ranges from a 6 (low-grade cancer) to 10 (high-grade cancer). According to the Cleveland Clinic, this metric helps determine how quickly and how likely the cancer is to spread (low-grade cancer grows slowly and is less likely to spread than high-grade cancer).
On Monday, Biden shared a message to social media that included a photo of himself, his wife Dr. Jill Biden and their cat, Willow.
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"Cancer touches us all,' he wrote. 'Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.'
Dr. Danny Vesprini, a radiation oncologist at Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, told Yahoo Canada in 2022 that while the prostate isn't large (about the size of a walnut), its nature and location "certainly causes lots of problems."
By the year 2040, annual prostate cancer cases worldwide are expected to double, with annual deaths projected to rise by 85 per cent. Read on to learn more about the prostate, its common issues and how you might be able to prevent discomfort.
The prostate is a small, rubbery gland that produces enzymes and proteins in the body. It's part of the reproductive system and it's located deep inside the groin, between the base of the penis and the rectum.
"The main goal of the prostate is that it produces between 60 to 80 per cent of a man's ejaculate and, in particular, creates an enzyme called prostate-specific antigen, or PSA," Vesprini explained. "What that enzyme does is liquify the coagulum in the vagina to help with reproduction. So it allows sperm to swim more freely in the vagina."
While it's an important organ for procreation, it's not one that's necessary for life, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Prostate cancer is another serious issue related to the organ. It's a disease where malignant cells form in the tissues of the prostate. Some symptoms of prostate cancer can include:
Problems urinating
Slow or weak urinary stream
Needing to urinate more often
Blood in the urine or semen
Difficulty getting an erection
Pain in the hips, back or chest
Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet
Loss of bladder or bowel control
See a healthcare professional if you're experiencing these symptoms, as it's best to catch cancer early.
Biden's prostate cancer has spread to the bone, therefore making it stage 4 cancer. According to experts, it's unlikely that the advanced stage can be cured.
In an interview with Yahoo Life, Dr. Christopher Wee of the Cleveland Clinic said treatment could be used to help slow cancer growth or prolong and improve his quality of life. However, it's "very difficult to get too much more specific than that, because there can be people in whom there's only one bone spot, and there can be people in whom there's spots all over the body,'
Biden's office noted that his cancer appeared to be "hormone-sensitive." Wee told Yahoo Life that some prostate cancer treatments like androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), where androgens (a group of hormones including testosterone) are lowered in the body, can help slow down cancer growth.
Wee also said that there's been evidence to suggest that ADT combined with medications to further reduce hormones can provide more benefit than ADT alone.
"Ultimately, these [treatment] decisions are complex,' he said. 'No two cases are the same, and it really involves very careful consideration of a patient's cancer, the patient's health and, most importantly, the patient's values and preferences.'
According to the Cancer Society of Canada, there is a 41 per cent chance that men with stage 4 prostate cancer will live at least five years (net survival).
Vesprini said the most common problem most men experience is that the prostate continues growing. While it might be the size of a walnut or ping pong ball in younger men, it typically starts to grow when men reach their late 40s and early 50s, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.
"It's one of the few parts of the body that still grows as we get old. And as men get older, they start to have more difficulties with urinating. That's why older men get up to pee at night because they aren't emptying their bladder sufficiently during the day," he noted, adding men can experience a slower flow of their urine and may "start to spray a bit."
Although these symptoms aren't serious medical issues, Vespirini suggested they can impact a man's confidence and quality of life.
"As we get older and the prostate gets bigger, the bladder may not empty fully and the flow starts to slow down, which is annoying but it's common and there's lots of remedies," Vesprini added.
The Canadian Cancer Society also indicated the prostate is also close to the digestive and reproductive systems, meaning problems with the organ can impact those parts of the body, too.
In addition to common urinary problems, serious conditions such as prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can also affect the prostate.
Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate that can cause symptoms like painful urination and general discomfort in the groin, pelvis or genitals.
"It can be very uncomfortable and disruptive by causing pain or sexual dysfunction," Vesprini shared.
On the other hand, BPH, or an overly enlarged prostate, usually affects men over age 40. As it grows, the prostate can block the flow of urine and cause bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems.
"Signs of BPH are difficulty urinating, a weak stream, or having a frequent need to urinate," explained Vesprini.
If you're hoping to alleviate symptoms of non-cancerous conditions like BPH, the most common thing to do is to change your daily habits.
"Stop drinking in the evening or don't drink lots of fluid before bed, which lessens the amount of times you're urinating at night," Vesprini suggested.
If that doesn't provide relief, there are medications that help the bladder empty more sufficiently, or medications that shrink the prostate over time.
"For more serious cases, there are surgical procedures that can be done, but it has risks," Vesprini added.
For prostatitis, the oncologist said anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or Advil can sometimes help, or using antibiotics may settle things down.
"Some men find that different foods or certain activities also trigger symptoms and thus they avoid those, but that's unique to each person and you'll have to go through a trial and error process to figure it out," he explained.
"You can't really prevent prostate problems, and something like BPH is just a natural evolution," Vesprini said. "The only way to prevent it from happening is to have no testosterone, which is what triggers the prostate to grow over time."
He added since urinary problems and BPH are normal parts of aging, it's abnormal for a man in his 70s or 80s to not have experienced any of these problems. In general, the doctor said in order to be your best self, you should work towards having a healthy heart, having a good diet and exercising frequently.
"It's very important to keep on top of your overall health, and don't turn to quick fixes," Vesprini concluded. "Be aware of any changes in your body, and get screened if you suspect any issues."
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