Former US President Joe Biden is undergoing radiotherapy and hormone therapy to treat his prostate cancer, his spokesman revealed to AFP.
The 2024 election campaign
Due to concerns about his age, health and mental health, the 82-year-old former Democratic leader had abandoned his campaign for a second term in 2024, when the electoral race was already well underway.
An "aggressive" form of cancer
Then, last May, he announced that he had an "aggressive" form of prostate cancer with "bone metastases", meaning that the cancer cells had spread to the bones.
Level 9 on the Gleason scale
His cancer was then rated at level 9 on the Gleason scale, which classifies levels of aggressiveness of prostate cancers on a scale of 1 to 10.
"While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management" of the pathology, Mr. Biden's office assured AFP.
High-energy rays to fight disease
Radiation therapy "uses high-energy rays or particles to kill cancer cells", explains the American Cancer Society.
It is a form of treatment used for various stages of prostate cancer, says the organization.
Prevent the fueling of cancer cells
On its website, the American Cancer Society states that the purpose of taking hormones for this cancer is to "reduce the levels of male hormones, called androgens, in the body, or prevent them from fueling the growth of prostate cancer cells".
Support from several political figures
When he was announced last May, Joe Biden received the support of several American political figures, including current President Donald Trump, who said he was saddened by the news.
An investigation against Biden's entourage
The next day, however, Trump suggested that Biden's diagnosis had been known for a long time.
In June, he ordered the launch of an investigation against Biden's entourage, suspected of having "conspired" to conceal his predecessor's physical and cognitive decline.