Following the news of his 'aggressive' prostate cancer diagnosis, former president Joe Biden has issued a statement on social media.
Yesterday (May 18), the personal office for the 46th president of the United States shared the following statement: "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."
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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. A score of nine suggests that the cancer is among the most 'aggressive'.
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."
In a Twitter post, the 82-year-old shared a picture of himself, his wife, Jill, and their cat.
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The caption said: "Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places.
"Thank you for lifting us up with love and support."
President Donald Trump has taken to Truth Social to respond to the news of his predecessor's diagnosis.
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He posted: "Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery."
It isn't the first time Biden has received a cancer diagnosis - having had a number of non-melanoma skin cancers surgically removed before his time in office, while in February 2023, he also had a cancerous lesion removed from his chest.
In November 2021, he had a polyp removed from his colon that was a benign, but potentially pre-cancerous, lesion.
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According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime and it stands as the second-leading cause of cancer death in men, behind lung cancer.
The disease kills around one in 44 men, though most who are diagnosed do not die from it.
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.
Joe Yates