Five prostate cancer myths debunked after Joe Biden's 'aggressive' diagnosis

Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer just months after retreating from the US political scene

Former US president Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an 'aggressive' form of cancer after a 'small nodule' was found on his prostate. The 82-year-old and his family are now said to be reviewing treatment options just months after Biden retreated from the political scene.

"Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms," a statement from his office read. "On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.

"While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management." The American Cancer Society suggests that around one in every eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.

In light of these figures, it is more important than ever to tackle misconceptions and clear up any confusion regarding the disease. David James, director of patient projects and influencing at Prostate Cancer Research, has stepped in to share five alarming prostate cancer myths with Surrey Live.

Myth 1: Only older men are affected

While prostate cancer frequently arises in men aged over 50, David asserted that it can develop at any age. "One of the biggest misconceptions about prostate cancer is that many people think it is a disease of just older men, but it doesn't just affect old men," he has explained.

"There is obviously a link with age. Age is a risk factor, but there are also other significant risk factors, like ethnicity and family history, which put people into high-risk categories."

NHS guidance notes that prostate cancer is more common in Black men than Asian men, and other factors such as family history, obesity, and diet play a role in increasing risk. Research also points to a link between high calcium intake and the development of the disease.

Myth 2: There are always symptoms

Difficulties urinating, blood in the urine or semen, and needing to pee more frequently may signal prostate cancer. Yet David stressed that it can be completely symptomless in its early stages.

He explained: "It's only when it starts to push on the walls of the prostate, or burst out of the prostate, that you really start to kind of get the symptoms that people commonly think about – like frequency of peeing in the night or pain in their lower back.

"These are things that often happen when the prostate cancer is starting to spread or has already spread. You will get symptoms at some point, once it's spread far enough or grown enough, but very often, in its early stages, it doesn't have any."

Myth 3: It's never aggressive and always develops slowly

Although many think of prostate cancer as a slow-moving illness, David said this isn't always the case. The cancer is typically assigned a Gleason score, going from two to 10, which shows how abnormal the cancer cells are compared to healthy tissue.

Unfortunately, Biden's score was reportedly nine, suggesting that he is suffering from a highly aggressive form of cancer. "Yes, there are sort of those slower-growing types, but there are also some very aggressive types of prostate cancer," David said.

"And often in younger men or men with family history, there is a link to having slightly more aggressive types of prostate cancer. So, for those who have that aggressive disease, it's even more important to get it caught early when survival rates are much better."

Myth 4: Treatment needs to start immediately

Treatment for prostate cancer largely depends on personal circumstances. If the disease is in its early stages in one localised position, medics may monitor the situation before taking action.

David explained: "Sometimes the best thing to do is just to watch it and monitor it before taking action because it's not one of those diseases where you need to act immediately.

"Prostate cancer is a bit slower in that respect, even some of those aggressive types. It's not like you have to start treatment within a matter of days. You often have a bit more time to think and act in a way that takes into account the pros and cons of different types of treatment and the type of lifestyle you lead or want to lead."

Monitoring the cancer without immediate intervention is often referred to as 'active surveillance'. This approach is advised for people with low-risk prostate cancer.

"This is actually the best treatment option for many men. Delaying or avoiding having to have treatment like radiotherapy or surgery to remove a prostate which comes with side effects is the aim," David said.

"It allows us to ensure if you do have one of the aggressive types of disease, then we can act. But if you don't, then let's be conservative. Let's monitor it to make sure that if it changes, you know, you get treated."

Myth 5: Cancer treatments will end your sex life

Last but not least, David reassured that prostate cancer treatments don't necessarily spell the end for someone's sex life. Sexual function can return over time, and there are treatments available to assist with this.

He said: "We try and make clear that just because you have had treatment, it doesn't mean that you can't engage in sexual activities. There are other ways of having sex that don't just involve penetrative sex, and we try to encourage people to realise that."