Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States, has been given a clean bill of health by his doctor after having a cancerous skin lesion removed from his chest in February. The lesion was detected during a routine medical examination and was identified as a basal cell carcinoma, which is a slow-growing cancer that is usually confined to the surface of the skin. Biden’s physician, Dr Kevin O’Connor, has confirmed that all cancerous tissue was successfully removed and no further treatment is required.
Biden, who is 80 years old, is the oldest person ever to be US president and his health is under scrutiny as he is expected to declare his intention to run for re-election in 2024. However, his wife Jill Biden has already confirmed that he plans to run, although a formal declaration has yet to be made.
The lesion was removed during Biden’s annual medical checkup on February 16, after which he was declared “fit for duty”. At the appointment, Biden completed a series of tests that he began last year at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a complex in Washington, DC’s suburbs with a presidential facility.
O’Connor wrote in the report that the president had spent “a good deal of time in the sun in his youth” and that he had already been treated regularly for removal of localised, non-melanoma skin cancers. He also stated that “the site of the biopsy has healed nicely and the president will continue dermatologic surveillance as part of his ongoing comprehensive healthcare”.
Despite his age, O’Connor has confirmed that Biden remains a healthy and vigorous 80-year-old male who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, including those of Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief.
The Bidens have long been advocates for fighting cancer, with their adult son Beau having died from brain cancer in 2015. Biden has also made cancer research and treatment a priority during his time in office, with his administration proposing a $6.5 billion budget increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support cancer research and other medical initiatives.
In addition to his focus on cancer research, Biden has also made healthcare a key priority during his presidency. He has worked to expand access to healthcare for all Americans, including through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and by expanding Medicaid. He has also proposed a number of measures to lower prescription drug prices and improve mental health services.
Overall, Biden’s clean bill of health is good news for the President and his supporters as he continues to lead the country through a challenging time. With his focus on healthcare and cancer research, he is likely to continue to make these issues a priority during his time in office.