‘Cancer touches us all’: Biden thanks public after diagnosis

Former U.S. president Joe Biden has expressed his gratitude for the goodwill he has received following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis.

“Cancer touches us all,” the 82-year-old wrote in a post on the online platform X on Monday.

He said that he and his wife Jill, like so many others, had found that they were strongest in the most difficult times.

“Thank you for lifting us with love and support,” Biden continued.

He posted a photo of himself smiling at the camera, sitting by his wife, holding a cat in her arms.

It has been public knowledge since Sunday that Biden has prostate cancer. Biden’s office said it is an aggressive and advanced form of the disease that has spread to the bones, adding that the condition can be managed.

President Donald Trump, Biden’s predecessor and successor, expressed his wishes for a speedy recovery after the diagnosis was announced, as did former president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.

“I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace,” Obama posted on X.

“We pray for a fast and full recovery.”

Obama was the U.S. president from 2009 to 2017, with Biden as his vice president.

Obama also praised Biden’s commitment to cancer research in the post.

“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe.”

As vice president, Biden spearheaded the “cancer moonshot,” a government-wide research programme, that he launched in 2016.

This is not the first cancer diagnosis in Biden’s family.

In 2015, his eldest son, Beau died of a brain tumour at the age of 46.

Biden has spoken often about the loss in speeches.