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Prostate Cancer Survivor Al Roker Sends Supportive Message to Joe Biden Amid Former President’s Cancer Battle
Prostate cancer survivor Al Roker offered some words of support after former President Joe Biden publicly revealed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“Sending out prayers and a good outcome for President @joebiden after hearing about his #prostatecancer diagnosis. Having gone through it myself, I have an understanding of what he and his family are going through,” Al, 70, captioned an Instagram post on Sunday, May 18.
Many were moved by Al’s public message after going through his own battle with prostate cancer five years ago.
“Such a good man who’s been through more than any one person should have to endure. Sending prayers & so much love to President Biden & his family,” one person commented.
“Thanks Al for always being a class act, demonstrating care, and showing the world that you are a great person. Prayers to President Biden,” another shared.
“Such a touching personal post…many understand and gone through this diagnosis too. God bless him & his family,” a third person said.
“Sending prayers to President Biden. My dad had prostate cancer as well, and he is doing well, thank goodness,” another penned.
“To understand it is to have gone through it for sure!” another remarked.
Al knows firsthand what it’s like to battle the disease, as he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer at age 66. According to The Patient Story, the meteorologist’s cancer was caught early “through a routine PSA test at his annual physical.” He underwent a prostatectomy, which is “a surgical procedure for the partial or complete removal of the prostate,” per Johns Hopkins Medical.
Al Roker and Joe Biden
After undergoing the procedure, Al was deemed cancer-free and has since been encouraging other men to get screenings.
“It was this great relief,” he said on Today in November 2020 after doctors told him no evidence of cancer was found following the surgery. “For a first start, this is terrific news. I’m going to be up for — and a lot of people who live with cancer — up for lifelong testing to make sure this doesn’t come back.”
Joe’s cancer diagnosis was revealed on Sunday, May 18, in a statement.
“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms. On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,” a statement from the former president’s personal office said.
A metastasis “happens when cancer cells break off from the original tumor, enter your bloodstream or lymphatic system, and then spread to other areas of your body,” per Cleveland Clinic. “Doctors can’t cure most metastatic cancers, but treatment can help manage your symptoms.”
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” the statement continued. “The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”
The following day after the statement was shared, Joe, 82, shared a selfie with his wife, former first lady Jill Biden, and their cat on X, writing, “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.”
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