Following former US President Joe Biden’s diagnosis of ‘aggressive’ prostate cancer, a hospice nurse has issued a stark warning to all men about the common symptoms of the disease
Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer following a hospital stay last week. In light of this news, a hospice nurse is advocating for men to familiarise themselves with the disease’s most common symptoms for early detection and treatment.
President Biden, 82, was initially admitted for checks last week on a “prostate nodule”, which his representatives later confirmed was advanced grade 5 prostate cancer that has metastasised to his bones. The former President and his family are now exploring possible treatments, with medical specialists expressing “optimistic” views on his chances of remission.
Following the news, Penny Smith, a hospice nurse who provides end-of-life care to terminally ill patients, took the opportunity to spread awareness for prostate cancer via TikTok, emphasising the importance of early diagnosis in effectively managing the disease.
She said: “Cancer does not discriminate. It doesn’t matter who you are, you can be at risk. If you haven’t heard yet, former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.”
“Many times, when men get prostate cancer, it is treatable. Sometimes, it’s even a watch-and-wait situation, and his type is a type that is usually manageable with treatment. However, it has already metastasised to his bones, which means it’s much, much more serious.
“Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, so it can be very deadly. However, most men diagnosed with it will not die from it. Just like with many treatable cancers, early detection is key.”
Penny continued to outline that some typical signs of prostate cancer are urinary troubles, including difficulty commencing or ceasing urination, along with the presence of blood in the urine or semen and erectile dysfunction.
She emphasised: “With more advanced prostate cancer, you might experience bone pain, unexpected weight loss, and fatigue. If you have any of these symptoms, make sure you do not ignore them.
“The test for prostate cancer is a blood test and a digital rectal exam. Some men are not thrilled about that, but it certainly beats getting prostate cancer.”
According to Cancer Research UK, prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in males in the UK, accounting for 14% of all cancer deaths in males between 2017 and 2019. However, it is the most common type of cancer in males, accounting for 28% of male cases during the same time period.
Cancer Research UK also shares data on the survival rates of the most common cancers in males. An age-standardised 10-year net survival study was carried out between 2010 and 2011, and found that 84% of males diagnosed with prostate cancer would survive for 10 or more years.
Symptoms of prostate cancer
The NHS states that prostate cancer typically progresses slowly, so symptoms may not be apparent for many years. When symptoms do start to emerge, it usually means the prostate has grown large enough to affect the urethra, prompting signs such as:
- needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
- needing to rush to the toilet
- difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
- straining or taking a long time while peeing
- weak flow
- feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
- blood in urine or blood in semen
These symptoms should never be overlooked, although they don’t always indicate the presence of prostate cancer. The NHS clarifies that other conditions, like an enlarged prostate, can also manifest the same symptoms, but checking in with your GP instead of disregarding these potential warning signs is always advised.
For more information about prostate cancer, visit the NHS website. You can also find further support for prostate cancer via Prostate Cancer UK.