(DDM) – Former President Joseph R. Biden has been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, his office confirmed this week.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the cancer has already spread to his bones, a development common in aggressive and advanced stages of the disease.
Prostate cancer remains one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in men, with about one in eight men expected to face it in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
The organization estimates over 288,000 new cases will be recorded this year alone.
Experts note that the illness occurs more frequently in Black men and in men above 65 years of age.
It is often slow-growing but is also notorious for showing no symptoms until it reaches advanced stages.
Medical researchers stress that by the time symptoms appear, the cancer may have spread significantly, reducing treatment options.
Symptoms that eventually emerge include difficulty urinating, blood in urine or semen, erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, and pain in areas like the hips, ribs, or back.
Advanced cases can also cause weight loss, fatigue, and loss of bladder or bowel control.
Specialists like Dr. Daniel Spratt of Case Western Reserve University say early detection remains the strongest safeguard against fatal outcomes.
He explained that prostate cancer is highly treatable when identified before it spreads.
Doctors usually recommend screening, which involves a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal examination.
Both procedures are considered vital since PSA levels alone do not always provide an accurate diagnosis.
According to guidelines from the American Urological Association, men are advised to undergo regular prostate cancer screening beginning at age 50.
For those at higher risk, including Black men, men with a family history of prostate cancer, or individuals carrying genetic markers such as the BRCA gene, screening should begin earlier, between ages 40 and 45.
PSA test results below four nanograms per milliliter are usually considered normal, while readings between four and ten suggest a 25 percent chance of cancer.
Levels above ten increase the likelihood of diagnosis to more than 50 percent.
Dr. John Lynam, a urology specialist in Florida, emphasized that lower-grade prostate cancers can sometimes be monitored without immediate intervention, but advanced cases like Biden’s require urgent medical management.
Medical experts are urging men worldwide to prioritize regular checkups and understand their family history.
They insist that proactive health practices could save countless lives, given that prostate cancer remains curable when caught early.
For many, the revelation of Biden’s illness underscores the urgency of awareness, prevention, and medical responsibility in addressing one of the world’s most common male health challenges.
The post Why do men still die of prostate cancer despite easy tests?
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first appeared on Diaspora Digital Media DDM.
