Former US President Joe Biden has publicly acknowledged a wave of international support following his diagnosis with advanced prostate cancer, saying the disease has once again reminded him of the universal pain cancer inflicts. “Cancer touches us all,” Biden wrote, adding, “We are strongest in the broken places.”
The 81-year-old Democrat, who stepped away from the 2024 presidential race due to health concerns, revealed on Friday that his prostate cancer had metastasised to his bones. His diagnosis, marked by a high Gleason score of 9, indicates a particularly aggressive form of the disease, although doctors say it remains hormone-sensitive and potentially manageable with treatment.
Also Read: Former U.S. President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Stage 4 Prostate Cancer
Leaders from around the world, including King Charles III—who is himself undergoing cancer treatment—have sent personal messages of encouragement. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the monarch wrote a private letter to Biden, reinforcing the long-standing rapport between the two figures.
The news has reignited political scrutiny over the transparency of Biden’s health while in office. Former President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance both offered wishes for recovery but questioned the timing and handling of the announcement. Allegations of a prolonged cover-up are also set to feature in an upcoming book titled Original Sin, which details claims about Biden’s health challenges in his final year of public service.
Despite political tensions, Biden has received a groundswell of bipartisan and global solidarity. His message of resilience—shaped by past personal losses—resonated deeply: “Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places.”
