A prominent medical community raises concerns about the delayed detection of Joe Biden's advanced prostate cancer, which has now spread to his bones.
According to Daily Mail, leading doctors have expressed shock and disbelief that the 82-year-old former president's aggressive form of prostate cancer wasn't discovered earlier, describing the late-stage diagnosis as "inconceivable" given his access to top-tier medical care.
The announcement of Biden's cancer diagnosis came on Sunday, revealing a Gleason score of 9 and a Grade Group of 5, indicating a rapidly spreading form of the disease.
Medical professionals across the country have questioned how routine screenings, particularly the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test recommended for men over 50, failed to detect the cancer earlier in its progression.
Dr. Howie Forman, a Yale professor of radiology and biomedical imaging, expressed his professional assessment of the situation:
It is inconceivable that this was not being followed before he left the Presidency. Given how aggressive it is, the PSA test would have shown he had cancer for some time before this diagnosis.
The timing of the diagnosis has sparked widespread discussion among medical professionals, particularly given Biden's February 2024 physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. During this check-up, his longtime physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, declared him "fit to serve" as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel highlighted the unusual nature of discovering such advanced cancer through physical examination rather than routine PSA screening. The standard protocol typically involves regular PSA testing for men over 45, followed by MRI and possible biopsy if elevated levels are detected.
Biden's medical history includes several significant health challenges, including two brain aneurysms in 1988 and various skin cancer removals. The recent cancer diagnosis comes after a period of increasing scrutiny regarding his age and fitness for office during his presidency.
Some medical professionals, including urologist Dr. David Shusterman, suggest that the cancer's advanced stage indicates it may have been present for an extended period. This observation has led to questions about the thoroughness of Biden's previous medical examinations.
The diagnosis has also prompted political figures to respond, with Donald Trump and First Lady Melania expressing wishes for "a fast and successful recovery." However, Donald Trump Jr. has publicly questioned whether there was a potential cover-up of the diagnosis.
Biden's medical team is currently reviewing treatment options, with hormone therapy being a likely approach to block testosterone production, which can fuel cancer growth.
The treatment typically involves medications such as Lupron and Casodex, though side effects may include fatigue and listlessness.
Former President Barack Obama highlighted Biden's commitment to cancer research through his Cancer Moonshot initiative, expressing confidence in his ability to face this challenge. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff have also shared messages of support.
The former president's advanced prostate cancer diagnosis has created ripples throughout both medical and political communities, raising questions about the effectiveness of routine health screenings for high-ranking officials. Biden's medical team continues to evaluate treatment options while managing the cancer that has spread to his bones.
The situation has prompted calls for increased transparency in presidential health monitoring and highlighted the importance of regular prostate cancer screening for men over 50. As Biden begins his treatment journey, medical experts emphasize the critical nature of early detection in managing prostate cancer effectively.
