(WBRE/WYOU) — Biden is now among the more than 3,000,000 American men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. 28/22 News Reporter Avery Nape met with a local urologist to find out what that diagnosis may mean for the former president.
The announcement of former President Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis has come as a shock to many. To a local urologist, Doctor Donald Preate Junior, the reaction is no different.
"Prostate cancer is surprising for all individuals, nobody wants to be diagnosed with a disease of prostate cancer. But, it is the most common cancer that is found in men today," Dr. Preate Jr. said.
Prostate cancer is also the second-deadliest form of cancer, just behind lung cancer.
While the disease is curable in its early stages, Dr. Preate says between Biden's age and the severity of his diagnosis, his only option is a less aggressive treatment option.
"It would likely be hormonal therapy, something to control the cancer, you know, wherever it is prevalent in his body," Dr. Preate Jr. explained.
While there are other forms of treatment, Biden's age limits his options.
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"It would be less likely for him at his age to do aggressive things such as surgical therapy," Dr. Preate Jr. continued.
One in eight men will develop prostate cancer at some point in their lives.
While it's hard to say when the former president was last screened or how often, Dr. Preate says most men are not checked in their 80s unless there's a specific reason.
"Without knowing what his history was or, you know, had he been followed before by a Urologist or his medical doctor for any particular symptom. It's hard to say, 'Well, how did this just come out of the blue?'" Dr. Preate Jr. stated.
Family history is a huge factor in prostate cancer diagnosis, but regardless, Preate recommends getting screened regularly just to err on the side of caution.
