Joe Biden’s ‘aggressive’ cancer diagnosis has been explained as former presidents issue well-wishes.

On Sunday (May 18), the office of the 82-year-old and former president released a statement, confirming Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer which has spread to the bones.

Biden’s reps confirmed the former 46th president of the United States was seen by medics last week for urinary symptoms who found a new ‘prostate nodule.’

The statement added: “On Friday he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized 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.

“The president and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”

Biden’s office has confirmed the diagnosis (Bruce Glikas/WireImage)

What is prostate cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the US other than skin cancer, affecting around one in eight men.

The Mayo Clinic describes it as a ‘growth of cells’ that start in the prostate, a small gland found just below the bladder that produces semen.

It is usually detected early and grows slowly, with the clinic adding that most people diagnosed with prostate cancer are ‘cured.’

Essentially, many men can live with it for decades without needing treatment, though symptoms don’t always appear until the cancer is already developed and advanced.

Symptoms include needing to urinate more frequently, difficulty in peeing, straining or taking a long time while peeing, weak flow, and/or blood in urine or in semen, according to the NHS.

Signs that it may have spread further include bone and back pain, a loss of appetite, testicle pain and weight loss.

Prostate cancer affects the male reproductive system (Getty Images)

What is the Gleason score?

The Gleason score is used by medics to grade prostate cancer, according to Cancer Research.

The grade infers how much the cancer cells look like normal cells and how likely they are to grow or how aggressive they appear.

There are five grade groups with Grade Group 1 considered the least aggressive while Grade Group 5 is the most.

As Biden has a Gleason score of nine, he’s in the highest category, meaning the cells look very abnormal and is likely to grow quickly.

Biden with his grandson, Beau and wife, Jill, after his farewell address from the White House in January (Mandel Ngan – Pool/Getty Images)

What does the diagnosis mean for Joe Biden?

Biden presented to doctors with one of the most common symptoms of prostate cancer, urinary issues, though it appears the cancer has already spread to his bones.

While it is ‘not uncommon’ for older men in their 80s to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, Biden’s Gleason grade indicates it is ‘most advanced than most men would encounter’, Dr Ryan Clearly, a urologist at MedStar Health told the BBC.

Although Biden’s exact case is unknown, Dr Clearly added: “Generally about a third of patients will still be alive after five years of metastatic prostate cancer.”

Doctors also said Biden’s cancer is hormone-sensitive, meaning they can effectively ‘manage’ his prognosis by taking medications that block or lower the amount of hormones in the body to prevent further growth.

Dr Jamin Vinod Brahmbhatt, a urologist at Orlando Health Medical Group, told the news outlet that while such treatments are not ‘curative’ to the cancer, there are ‘more medical options to stabilise the patient and control the cancer, but it never gets rid of the cancer completely.’

Biden and his family are said to be reviewing treatment options.

Obama and Trump have both issued statements (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

What has Donald Trump and Barack Obama said about Biden’s cancer?

The 44th POTUS, Barack Obama, issued a statement after hearing the news.

He wrote in a post on Twitter: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.

“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace.

“We pray for a fast and full recovery.”

Obama’s comment comes as Biden was passionate about tackling the cancer death rate while in office, following the death of his eldest son Beau who died of glioblastoma brain tumor in 2015.

Biden’s predecessor and successor, President Trump also sent a message of support, writing on Truth Social: “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.”

Donald Trump has issued a statement after Joe Biden is diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ cancer.

On Sunday (May 18), the office of the 82-year-old and former president released a statement, confirming Biden has been diagnosed with stage nine prostate cancer which has spread to the bone.

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.”

Voters have been worried about the former POTUS (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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.”

Now, his successor, President Donald Trump, has issued his own statement about Biden’s heartbreaking health update.

Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “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.”

The news comes as the health of the former POTUS was a prevailing concern for votes during his time as president – and during his bid for a second term.

While he ran again for a second shot in the Oval Office, with just three months left of the campaign he pulled out and handed the baton to former vice-president Kamala Harris.

His televised performance in a 90-minute debate against Trump fueled concerns, prompting the then White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to release a statement to deny that Biden was suffering from Alzheimer’s.

In his announcement to his ‘fellow Americans,’ he said it was the ‘greatest honor of of my life’ to serve as President, adding: “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.”

Trump reclaimed the White House in 2025 (MELINA MARA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

As the 46th president of the United States, Biden was elected into the role on November 7, 2020, beating Trump at the polls.

The Democrat then finished his first and only term in office on January 20, when 78-year-old Trump reclaimed the White House having beaten Harris.

In February 2023, Biden completed a procedure to remove a ‘basal cell carcinoma,’ a common type of skin cancer from his chest.

And in November 2021, he had a polyp removed from his colon that was benign but possibly pre-cancerous.

Biden remained passionate about tackling the cancer death rate, particularly following the death of his eldest son Beau who died of glioblastoma brain tumor in 2015.

What is a Gleason score?

The Gleason score is used by medics to grade prostate cancer, according to Cancer Research.

The grade infers how much the cancer cells look like normal cells and how likely they are to grow or how aggressive they appear.

There are five grade groups with Grade Group 1 considered the least aggressive while Grade Group 5 is the most.

As Biden has a Gleason score of nine, he’s in the highest category, meaning the cells look very abnormal and is likely to grow quickly.

However, as it is hormone-sensitive, doctors say they can effectively ‘manage’ his prognosis.

Former US President Joe Biden has reflected on Donald Trump’s second term in office so far, questioning ‘what the hell’s going on?’

Since being sworn in as the 47th President of the US, Trump has signed more executive orders than you can count – well, over 140 if you are.

From unleashing tariffs against other countries across the globe to trying to rename the Gulf of Mexico and also speaking out about how Canada could best avoid the tariffs – by becoming the 51st ‘cherished’ state – Trump has certainly left few stones unturned.

And for the first time since leaving his post at the White House, former president Biden has since reflected on Trump’s term so far – and there were six words which rang particularly strongly.

Within 24 hours of becoming president for a second time, Trump signed off on an executive order about ‘restoring names that honor American greatness’ including changing the Gulf of Mexico’s name to the ‘Gulf of America’.

Alongside unleashing tariffs on Mexico, Canada was hit too – with Trump suggesting the only way for the country to get out of it was to become the 51st state of America.

He’s made it no secret he also wants Greenland to become a part of the US, previously claiming he’ll ‘get’ it ‘one way or the other’.

In an interview with BBC, Biden reflected: “And the way we talk about now that, ‘It’s the Gulf of America’, ‘Maybe we’re going to have to take back Panama’, ‘Maybe we need to acquire Greenland, ‘Maybe Canada should be a [51st state].’ – What the hell’s going on here?”

He continued: “What President ever talks like that? That’s not who we are. We’re about freedom, democracy, opportunity – not about confiscation.”

Indeed, Biden isn’t the only one to speak out about Trump’s moves since becoming president, with both the Prime Minister of Canada and President of Mexico hitting back at the POTUS.

Joe Biden had a few choice words to say about Donald Trump’s second term so far (Mandel Ngan – Pool/Getty Images)

President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum jokingly suggested the United States be renamed ‘Mexican America’.

Canada’s former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resolved Canada joining America as one of its states was never ‘going to happen’ – the sentiment echoed by newly appointed Mark Carney.

Carney met with Trump at the White House yesterday (May 6) and despite the pleasantries between the two leaders, he doubled down: “As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale.

“Having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign in the last several months, it’s not for sale. Won’t be for sale, ever.”

Donald Trump has been welcomed into the White House alongside his wife Melania by the Bidens.

Today (January 20) marks Trump‘s inauguration ceremony, but before he’s sworn into office for a second time, he and Melania were invited to the White House by President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill.

It’s an age-old tradition that the president and first lady invite their successors for tea before the new president-elect’s inauguration.

Following their meet-up, the foursome will travel to Trump’s inauguration ceremony in the same car. It’s thought they usually travel in two separate vehicles.

With Biden being a Democrat, and Trump a Republican, it’s safe to say that the pair haven’t always seen eye-to-eye when it comes to politics, but they seemingly put any bad blood aside at today’s meet.

When the Trumps arrived at the White House, Biden said, as per PEOPLE: “Welcome home!”

Joe Biden, Donald Trump and Melania Trump seen at the White House (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

While Biden has hosted a tea ceremony for Trump and his wife, the Republican didn’t do the same for him when Biden won the 2020 election.

In fact, Trump didn’t attend his then-successor’s inauguration altogether.

Trump and his family quickly jetted back to his home in Florida instead.

Ahead of today’s swearing-in ceremony, Trump has made a series of promises about what will happen when he returns to office.

One of the most notable plans of his is to delay the TikTok ban, which briefly came into force over the weekend before the app reemerged on people’s devices.

Joe Biden’s successor Donald Trump is being sworn into office today (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

When the video sharing platform went dark for a brief period, users were met with the following message: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.

“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”

And it wasn’t long until the app was working again, sparking people to suggest that the whole thing was simply a PR stunt.

One person said on social media: “This was such an obvious PR stunt to try to garner favor with Trump. They never had to take TikTok offline, and if they were legally required to, then nothing Trump said to them could have allowed them to restore service.”

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre echoed similar sentiments in the run up to TikTok’s deadline yesterday (January 19).

Everything Trump has pledged to do as 47th US President

Immigration

In a statement during a rally at Madison Square Garden during his presidential race he said: “On Day 1, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out.

“I will rescue every city and town that has been invaded and conquered, and we will put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail, then kick them the hell out of our country as fast as possible.”

Planning over 100 executive orders

It’s been reported by AP that Trump plans on preparing over 100 executive orders on his first day in the White House. Trump’s allies have reportedly spent time preparing documents that Trump can sign quickly, on issues such as deportation, school gender policies and vaccine mandates, without input from congress.

“There will be a substantial number,” said Senator John Hoeven, R-N.D.

Donald Trump will sign over 100 executive orders on his first day in office (JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Making hidden government files public

Including the assassinations of JFK and Martin Luther King Jr., Trump promised at his recent rally in Washington D.C that, in a bid to increase government transparency, he will be making these disclosures in ‘the coming days’.

“And in the coming days, we are going to make public remaining records relating to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert Kennedy, as well as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

‘Make Greenland Great Again Act’

In a bid that has not gone down well with Greenlanders, taking to his social media platform Truth Social Trump said: “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.

“Greenland is an incredible place. The people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”

January 6 pardons

Trump’s loss in the 2020 election led to the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, in turn resulting in the arrests of a number of Trump supporters.

In an interview with TIME, Trump said that looking into the cases of the rioters’ will take place in ‘the first nine minutes’ of his time in office.

In a post shared on his social media channel, Trump said: “I am inclined to pardon many of them. I can’t say for every single one, because a couple of them, probably they got out of control.”

Getting rid of birthright citizenship

Exactly as it sounds, Trump once declared he wanted to get rid of birthright citizenship, which immediately gives citizenship to anyone born in US. Noting that this may not be possible as it’s written into the constitution, he said he wants to achieve this by executive order – bypassing congress again – ‘if we can’.

Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th president (Morry Gash – Pool/Getty Images)

Cut federal funding for schools educating on ‘inappropriate’ topics

Speaking early last year, Trump addressed a crowd in Iowa and made plans to ‘save [the] country from destruction’.

“On day one, I will sign a new executive order to cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity,” he said, per NPR.

Trump also said he would target schools pushing ‘any other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content on our children’.

Making the US the ‘crypto capital’

Back in 2021, Trump called crypto a ‘scam against the dollar.’ But four years on, he’s pulled a u-turn as he vowed to make the US the ‘crypto capital of the planet’.

On social media, Trump claimed crypto would be ‘mined, minted and made in the US’.

Both he and wife Melania released their own memecoins ahead of the inauguration, while experts previously predicted Bitcoin could reach up to $250,000 this year.

Be a ‘dictator’

In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity last year, he referred to himself as a ‘dictator’ when asked if he was promising to ‘never abuse power as retribution against anybody’.

In response, Trump said: “Except for Day 1.

“I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill, drill. We’re closing the border and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling,” he continued.

“After that, I’m not a dictator.”

End Green Deals

Trump has spoken previously about his plan to ‘terminate the Green New Deal’, which he dubbed the ‘Green New Scam’.

The Green New Deal was pitched by Democrats Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey, but it was never signed into law.

Addressing the policies in a speech in September, Trump said: “To further defeat inflation, my plan will terminate the Green New Deal, which I call the Green New Scam. Greatest scam in history, probably.

“We [will] rescind all unspent funds under the misnamed Inflation Reduction Act.”

“I’m going to write it out in an executive order. It’s going to end on Day 1.”

Arrange green cards for college graduates

Despite making his stance on migration clear, Trump has advocated for non-US citizens to receive green cards to stay in the country if they graduate from college.

During an episode of the ‘All In’ podcast recorded this year, Trump said: “Anybody graduates from a college, you go in there for two years or four years, if you graduate, or you get a doctorate degree from a college, you should be able to stay in this country […]

“Somebody graduates at the top of the class, they can’t even make a deal with the company because they don’t think they’re going to be able to stay in the country. That is going to end on Day 1.”

Scrap ‘electric vehicle mandates’

Trump plans to scrap Biden administration’s so-called electric vehicle mandate, referring to new pollution standards that incentivize auto manufacturers to increase production of electric and lower-emission vehicles.

Despite vowing to get rid of the policy on his first day, Trump told podcaster Joe Rogan the move could take ‘maybe two days, because it’s a little bit busy’.

Fire the man who indicted him

Trump faced two federal cases in relation to the 2020 election result from special counsel Jack Smith, and the future POTUS has no plans to work with him again.

Speaking on October 24, Trump told the Hugh Hewitt show he would fire Smith ‘within two seconds’.

“He’ll be one of the first things addressed,” he said.