Biden camp rejects claims of early cancer diagnosis

The team of former U.S. President Joe Biden has denied suggestions that his prostate cancer diagnosis was known earlier than publicly revealed. In response to growing speculation, particularly from former President Donald Trump, Biden’s office clarified that his last recorded PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test was in 2014 and that no diagnosis was made until the past week.

These statements came after Trump questioned the timing and transparency surrounding Biden’s diagnosis, implying that the public should have been informed much earlier. Trump claimed the disease must have developed over many years and suggested a lack of honesty from Biden’s circle.

Biden’s office announced on Sunday that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had already spread to his bones. The cancer was graded 9 out of 10 on the Gleason scale, marking it as highly aggressive.

Although some medical experts have voiced concerns over the possibility of such a late diagnosis given Biden’s access to advanced healthcare, others emphasized that prostate cancer screening is not routinely advised for men over 70 due to potential harm from overtreatment. The CDC and other health authorities generally discourage such screenings in older men.

Dr. Adam Weiner, a urologic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, noted that the diagnosis, while unfortunate, is medically reasonable considering Biden’s age of 82. He explained that it's possible Biden was screened within the recommended timeframe and the cancer developed afterward.

Nick James, a prostate cancer specialist from the Institute of Cancer Research in London, found Biden’s case credible despite its unusual nature. He pointed out that certain aggressive cancers may not show elevated PSA levels and can be missed by standard testing methods, including blood tests and MRIs.

Biden’s age and health have long been focal points of public concern, especially during his presidency and failed re-election bid following a poor debate performance in June. Critics continue to allege that Biden’s team attempted to obscure the extent of his physical and cognitive decline.

A new book titled Original Sin, released by CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson, presents further allegations about efforts to hide Biden’s deteriorating condition. One notable claim describes Biden failing to recognize actor George Clooney at a fundraising event in 2024.