Donald Trump has shared a heartfelt message with Joe Biden after it was confirmed last night that the former President was diagnosed with an "aggressive form" of prostate cancer.
The US President and Melania Trump said they were "saddened to hear" about Biden's diagnosis, and wish him a "fast and successful recovery".
Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, was the first of the Trump family to send Biden support.
He posted on his Instagram story: "Politics aside, we wish him a speedy recovery."
Donald Trump sent his support to Joe Biden
Reuters
Biden's office stated the diagnosis comes after last week, he "was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms".
It added: "On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of nine (Grade Group Five) with metastasis to the bone."
A Gleason score measures how cancerous cells compare to normal cells, with Biden's score of nine indicating one of the most aggressive forms of the disease.
Medical professionals note that prostate cancer with a Gleason score of nine is the most severe grade a patient can receive, with the metastasis to his bones adding to the gravity of the diagnosis.
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However, Biden's office stated that "while this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management".
During his presidency, Biden made ending cancer a priority, reigniting his Cancer Moonshot initiative in 2022 after initially leading the effort as Barack Obama's Vice President.
The initiative aimed to cut the cancer death rate in half by 2047 and improve the lives of those living with cancer.
Biden's son, Beau, died at the age of 46 in 2015 after being diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive type of brain cancer.
Biden's son Beau died in 2015 following a battle with brain cancer
GETTYBiden claimed his son's cancer was a consequence of exposure to military burn pits during Beau's service in Iraq.
The former president has previously faced his own battles with cancer.
In February 2023, he had a cancerous lesion removed from his chest, and before taking office, he underwent Mohs surgery to remove several non-melanoma skin cancer spots.
As recently as February 2024, while still president, Biden's doctor declared him "fit to serve" following a routine physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre.
