Joe Biden’s Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: What You Should Know About The Disease

Former US President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, a statement from his office said on Sunday.
Biden, who left office in January, received the diagnosis on Friday after seeing a doctor last week because of urinary symptoms.

The cancer is a more aggressive type, with a Gleason score of 9 out of 10. This means his illness is considered “high-grade” and the cancer cells could spread quickly, according to Cancer Research UK. Biden and his family are currently looking into treatment options. His office said the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which means it can likely be managed.

In Sunday’s statement, Biden’s office said:
“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, characterised 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.”

What Is Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer develops in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland which sits between the penis and the bladder in males. This tiny gland secretes fluid that mixes with semen, keeping sperm healthy for conception and pregnancy.

What Are The Causes Of Prostate Cancer?

The cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but researchers know many things can increase a man’s risk for the disease.

Age: As men age, their risk of getting prostate cancer goes up. Harm to the DNA (or genetic material) of prostate cells is more likely for men over the age of 55.

Ethnicity: African American men have a higher rate of the disease. One in six African American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer occurs less often in Asian American and Hispanic/Latino men than in non-Hispanic white men.

Family History: Men who have a grandfather, father or brother with prostate cancer face a higher risk of getting the disease. Having family members with breast and ovarian cancer also raises a man’s risk for prostate cancer.

Weight: Studies link being overweight in your 50s and later to a greater risk of advanced prostate cancer. Doctors advise keeping to a healthy weight to reduce risk.

Symptoms Of The Cancer

There are often no symptoms during the early stages of prostate cancer, but screening can detect changes that may indicate cancer. 

People with advanced prostate cancer may also show no symptoms. Potential signs will depend on the size of the cancer and where it has spread in the body.

When symptoms do occur, they can be urinary symptoms like those of an enlarged prostate or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

• Dull pain in the lower pelvic zone
• Frequent need to pass urine
• Trouble passing urine, pain, burning or weak urine flow
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Painful ejaculation
• Pain in the lower back, hips or upper thighs
• Loss of hunger
• Loss of weight
• Bone pain

Treatments For Prostate Cancer

There are several options for treatment. Your treatment plan will consider:

• The stage and grade of the cancer (Gleason score and TNM stage)
• Your risk category (whether the cancer is low-, intermediate- or high-risk
• Your age and health
• Your preferences about side effects and long-term effects of treatment
• Your treatment goals
• Results from other diagnostic tests

The two main treatments for early-stage prostate cancer are surgery and radiation therapy. 

Surgery which is radical prostatectomy, a removal of the prostate, seminal vesicles and nearby tissue. Often the lymph nodes in the pelvis that drain from the prostate are also removed. This procedure calls for anesthesia and a short hospital stay. While the radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill the cancer cells.