Washington, DC: Following the news of former US President Joe Biden‘s prostate cancer diagnosis, Indian-American senators expressed their sorrow and prayed for his recovery.

Following news from Biden’s office that the 82-year-old former president had been diagnosed with an “aggressive form of prostate cancer” that had gone to the bone, the legislators issued their statement. He and his family are now discussing his treatment choices.

Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, were referred to as “fighters” by US Congressman Ro Khanna, who expressed confidence that they will face this task with grace and tenacity.

“I’m praying that @JoeBiden and his family can overcome the cancer that was just discovered in him. Khanna said on X, “He and Jill have always been fighters, and I am sure they will meet this challenge with grit and grace.”

Raja Krishnamoorthi, a US congressman, described Joe Biden as a “good man” and expressed his prayers for him and his family. Americans should pray for Biden, he said.

“Former President Joe Biden is a good man who dedicated his life to serving his country,” Krishnamoorthi said in a post on X. I invite all Americans to join me in prayer for him and his family tonight.

The news of Biden’s cancer diagnosis was met with grief by US Congressman Shri Thanedar. Thanedar praised Biden’s leadership, referring to him as a “transformational president and a great man.” “They all look up to Biden’s decades of service to the nation,” he said.

“The news of President Biden’s cancer diagnosis saddens me much. In addition to being a wonderful president, he was a terrific guy. We should all take inspiration from his decades of dedication to our nation. “I’m praying for strength and keeping him and his family in my thoughts,” Thanedar said in a post on X.

The news of Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis was met with grief by Ajay Bhutoria, a member of the former US president’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. He remarked that Joe Biden and his family are in his thoughts and prayers during this trying time.
“I am very saddened to hear that former President Joe Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to the bone,” Bhutoria said in a statement to ANI. The South Asian community, including me, is praying for President Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, and their family at this difficult time.

President Biden has consistently spoken out for our country, our communities, and issues that are important to him. His steadfast dedication to eradicating cancer as we know it has been fueled by his own toughness, which has been molded by severe tragedy, including the death of his son Beau from brain cancer in 2015.

He also discussed Biden’s achievements during his presidency, which have saved many lives. These initiatives include spending USD 150 million on tumor-removal technology and expanding free screenings for prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer.

He said, “President Biden has mobilized billions of government funds, increased screening access for millions, and promoted advancements in cancer research and treatment via the Cancer Moonshot project, which was started under his vice president and rekindled in 2022.

His leadership has saved many lives and given families in America and the South Asian diaspora hope, from expanding free screenings for colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer to allocating USD 150 million for tumor-removal technology in 2024. With a Gleason score of nine and bone metastases, this diagnosis is very worrisome.

However, as his office points out, the hormone-sensitive aspect of the malignancy provides avenues for efficient treatment. At 82, I have no doubt that President Biden will meet this task with the same tenacity, poise, and resolve that have characterized his decades of public service. His legacy of activism and compassion has motivated the South Asian community to stand alongside him.

I know President Biden’s heart is with the people because I have worked directly with him on projects like the 2020 & 2024 campaigns and the Oakland College Promise Program. Given the increased incidence of cancer, notably prostate cancer, among South Asians, his Cancer Moonshot, which has its roots in personal grief, represents a global struggle that strikes a deep chord with them. I implore our community to promote cancer awareness in remembrance of his legacy,” he said.

Biden’s office said in a statement that the diagnosis came after a prostate lesion was found after he complained of severe urinary problems. Tests revealed a high-grade malignancy with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), which indicates that the disease has spread to the bone.

After suffering worsening symptoms related to his urine, President Joe Biden was examined last week for a fresh discovery of a prostate nodule. He received a prostate cancer diagnosis on Friday, which was characterized by metastases to the bone and a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5). The cancer seems to be hormone-sensitive, which enables efficient treatment, even if this is a more severe type of the illness,” the statement said.