Former President Joe Biden has not been screened for prostate cancer for four years as president, following medical recommendations from men over the age of 70.
Experts say Joe Biden’s cancer can no longer be treated but it can be treated
Former President Joe Biden’s cancer cells are ranked with a “high Gleason score.” This is what he means to treat him.
- Diagnosed as an aggressive form of prostate cancer on Friday, May 16th, Biden ingested his body annually for each of his four years as president.
- In accordance with medical guidelines for the elderly, none of the checkups included a PSA test measuring prostate-specific antigens to be screened for prostate cancer.
WASHINGTON – The last known blood test to get Joe Biden’s prostate cancer screening was in 2014, seven years before he became president.
Diagnosed as an aggressive form of prostate cancer on Friday, May 16th, Biden ingested his body annually for each of his four years as president. However, screening for prostate cancer did not include PSA tests measuring prostate-specific antigens in accordance with medical guidelines for the elderly.
The influential US Task Force on Preventive Services recommends that men aged 55-69 years should consider regular PSA testing in consultation with their doctor about potential benefits and harms. However, prostate cancer is usually very slow, so the task force does not recommend routine screening of men over the age of 70.
The potential risk at that age is believed to outweigh the benefits of screening, including false positives, non-fatal cancer, unnecessary biopsy or treatment, and patient anxiety.
Biden’s latest PSA test in 2014 took place at the age of 72 with his vice president.
Biden, now 82, was diagnosed with prostate cancer that spread to the bone after a nodule was discovered in the prostate following symptoms of urinary disease on May 16, followed by symptoms of prostate, a spokesman said.
Biden’s Gleason score is at the upper limit of the Grade Group 5 scale. This means that cancer is more likely to grow and spread. Biden’s cancer is considered stage 4, the most advanced stage of cancer, characterized by spreading to other parts of the body.
Given Biden’s age, healthcare experts say Biden doesn’t need regular screening for prostate cancer to get top medical care.
“He is receiving the best medical care we have to offer as a country and may not be screened for prostate cancer,” said Dr. Michael Morris, a memorial Sloan Kettering oncologist who specializes in treating men with prostate cancer. “Good care means that the tests don’t undertest, and that it means that you don’t overtest.”
However, prostate cancer is usually detected earlier.
Dr. Herbert Lepor, a urologist at Nyu Langone Health, told Reuters, “It’s a little unusual for cancer to be detected at this later stage,” given the screening options available.
Biden’s most recent physical president of the year – not including prostate cancer screening – took place in February 2024. Presidential physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor described Biden as “a healthy, robust 81-year-old man suitable to successfully carry out his presidency mission.” The report cited Biden’s sleep apnea treatment and sclerosting gait from arthritis.
Reach Joey Garrison with X @joeygarrison.
