Joe Biden, 82, gives update on treatment for 'aggressive' cancer that's spread to his bones
Former President Joe Biden has given an update on his health following treatment for 'aggressive' prostate cancer.
Biden, 82, announced earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, with his personal office releasing a statement at the time.
It read: “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."
Prostate cancers are given a score called a Gleason score, which measures, on a scale of one to 10, how the cancerous cells look compared with normal cells, with a score of nine suggesting that the cancer is among the most 'aggressive'.
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In an update last week, a spokesperson for Biden explained that he was set to undergo radiation therapy and hormone treatment for the cancer, which had already spread to his bones.
Following the treatment, Biden shared an update on his health and took part in the traditional ringing of the bell at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia.
The ritual sees patients ringing a bell to mark the end of treatment, with a spokesperson for the former president telling CBS News on Monday (October 20): "He rang the bell today."
“Rung the Bell!” Biden's daughter, Ashley Biden, wrote in an Instagram post alongside a video of her dad ringing the bell.
“Thank you to the incredible doctors, nurses, and staff at Penn Medicine,” she added. “We are so grateful.”
In a separate post, Ashley added: “Dad has been so damn brave throughout his treatment."
It's not the only medical procedure Biden has had this year, as in September, he underwent surgery to remove skin cancer lesions.
A spokesperson confirmed to Inside Edition that Biden had received Mohs surgery, which is a procedure that involves cutting away the skin until cancer-free tissue remains in the area.
It's not currently clear if Biden is set to undergo any further treatment.
In May, the former president spoke about his diagnosis and the treatment that was to come.
He said: “It's all a matter of taking a pill, one particular pill, for the next six weeks and then another one. Well, the prognosis is good. You know, we're working on everything. It's moving along. So I feel good.”
After his diagnosis, Biden also shared a picture of himself, his wife, Jill, and their cat and commented in the caption that ‘cancer touches us all’ while also thanking those for offering kind words and support.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
Lucy Devine