Joe Yates
Former President Joe Biden has revealed that he has been diagnosed with an 'aggressive form' of cancer.
The 82-year-old's personal office released a statement statement today (May 18).
It read: "Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.
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"On Friday he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone."
The statement continued: "While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.
"The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians."
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The 46th president of the United States was elected president on November 7, 2020 - beating President Donald Trump at the polls.
The Democrat went on to finish his first and only term in office on January 20, when his successor, 78-year-old Trump, reclaimed the White House having beaten Biden's former vice-president Kamala Harris.
Biden ran his own presidential campaign for a second term in the Oval Office, but with just three months left he ultimately pulled out of the race.
His statement addressed to his 'fellow Americans' read in part: "Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.
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"Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans.
"We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today."
The statement continued: "I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We've protected and preserved our Democracy. And we've revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.
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"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."
Before concluding: "I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do - when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.