Medical experts say the cancer had likely been “growing and spreading” for years.
WASHINGTON — Former President Joe Biden had not been screened for prostate cancer in over a decade before being diagnosed last week, his spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.
“President Biden’s last known PSA was in 2014. Prior to Friday, President Biden had never been diagnosed with prostate cancer,” the spokesperson said.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests are commonly used to detect potential prostate disease, though they are known for frequent false positives.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises against routine PSA screening for men over 70 due to other prevailing health risks.
Biden, 82, revealed his diagnosis on Sunday, prompting questions about how long the cancer may have gone undetected. Experts now say the cancer has advanced and is aggressive, but treatable.
“We definitely would anticipate that he has had prostate cancer for many, many years,” said Dr. William Dahut of the American Cancer Society.
Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel added that it had most likely been “growing there and spreading” for years.