SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Biden’s Diagnosis Sparks New Urgency Around Screening, Equity, and Early Detection
Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive and advanced form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his office confirmed on May 18, 2025. Classified as a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), the cancer is high-grade and fast-growing—but still hormonex-sensitive, meaning treatment options remain. Biden’s diagnosis—despite access to top-tier medical care—highlights how prostate cancer can progress silently until it reaches a dangerous stage. His condition has renewed national attention on prostate health, especially for Black men, who continue to face the highest rates of diagnosis and death from the disease.
In a public statement, Biden said, “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
Black Men and Prostate Health: Understanding the Risks and Symptoms
Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among Black men in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death. Black men are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer—and more than twice as likely to die from it—compared to white men. Even more alarming, Black men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer at younger ages and with more aggressive forms of the disease.
According to BlackDoctor.org, seven primary factors are driving this disturbing trend:
1. Genetic and Biological Factors
Certain DNA variations—particularly on chromosome 8q24—are more common in men of African descent and may lead to earlier and more aggressive onset of prostate cancer. Additionally, higher average testosterone levels may fuel faster tumor growth.
2. More Aggressive Tumors
Black men are statistically more likely to be diagnosed with high-grade prostate cancers, reflected in elevated Gleason scores. These tumors tend to spread more quickly and are harder to treat effectively.
3. Early-Onset Risk Factors
Chronic health conditions such as obesity, poor diet, and physical inactivity—especially in men under 50—can cause inflammation and hormone imbalances that increase vulnerability to prostate cancer.
4. Barriers to Healthcare
Economic hardship, lack of insurance, and limited access to urologists or cancer specialists often delay diagnosis and reduce treatment options for Black men.
5. Environmental and Dietary Hazards
Black communities are more likely to be located near industrial pollutants or lack access to fresh, nutritious foods. These environmental and lifestyle factors contribute to higher cancer risks over time.
6. Reduced Screening Rates
Black men are about 20% less likely to receive routine PSA screenings due to distrust in the healthcare system, financial barriers, or lack of prostate health education. This often results in diagnoses at more advanced stages.
7. Genetic and Family Risk
Inherited genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 raise prostate cancer risk significantly. Black men with a close relative who had prostate cancer are also at greater risk of early-onset disease. Together, these factors form a “perfect storm” of systemic, environmental, and biological risks. Public health leaders emphasize that increased awareness, early screening, and better access to care are essential to changing the trajectory.
Warning Signs to Take Seriously:
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Trouble starting or stopping urination
• Weak or interrupted urine flow
• Pain during urination or ejaculation
• Blood in urine or semen
• Ongoing pain in the lower back, hips, or thighs
These symptoms can easily be confused with less severe conditions, but when left unchecked, prostate cancer can metastasize—or spread—to other parts of the body, including the bones.
The Cancer Moonshot Initiative Following the death of his son Beau to brain cancer, President Biden launched the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative in 2016 to accelerate cancer research. Revived during his presidency, the initiative aims to reduce cancer deaths by 50% over the next 25 years. Part of the effort includes expanding access to screenings and addressing disparities in cancer care, particularly in underserved communities.
What You Can Do:
• Discuss prostate screening with your doctor, especially if you are a Black man over 40 or have a family history of prostate cancer.
• Limit intake of alcohol and caffeine.
• Stay physically active and maintain a healthy diet.
• Monitor symptoms and don’t hesitate to seek medical advice.
Routine PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests and digital rectal exams (DREs) can save lives. Prostate cancer is often treatable when detected early. For more information, visit the Prostate Cancer Foundation at www.pcf.org.
Sources:
• Cleveland Clinic
• Mayo Clinic
• American Cancer Society
• National Cancer Institute
• CBS News
• Prostate Cancer Foundation
• White House Cancer Moonshot Briefing
• BlackDoctor.org
