Joe Biden: US President Donald Trump and Kamala Harris react to shock cancer diagnosis

US President Donald Trump said he was “saddened” to hear Joe Biden had been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer.

A statement from Mr Biden’s office on Sunday (local time) revealed he was seen by doctors last week after experiencing urinary symptoms, during which a prostate nodule was discovered.

“On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,” the statement read.

“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.

“The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”

Taking to Truth Social, Mr Trump extended his well wishes to the Biden family following the news of the diagnosis.

“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery,” he wrote.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris also took to social media to share a heartfelt message of support for Mr Biden, wishing him a “full and speedy recovery.”

Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Governor Tim Walz said he was “praying” for the former President and his family.

“A truly decent man and a friend. We’re wishing him all the best,” he wrote on X.

Prostate cancers are assigned a Gleason score, which measures how abnormal the cancerous cells appear compared to normal cells. A Gleason score of nine indicates a highly aggressive form of prostate cancer.

The health of Mr Biden, 82, was a dominant concern among voters during his time as President. After a calamitous debate performance in June while seeking reelection, Mr Biden abandoned his bid for a second term.

Ms Harris then became the candidate and lost to Mr Trump, who returned to the White House after a four-year hiatus.

In February 2023, Mr Biden had a skin lesion removed from his chest that was a basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer. Additionally, in November 2021, he had a polyp removed from his colon that was a benign, but potentially pre-cancerous lesion.

In 2022, Mr Biden made a “cancer moonshot” one of his administration’s priorities with the goal of halving the cancer death rate over the next 25 years. The initiative was a continuation of his work as Vice President to address a disease that had killed his older son, Beau.

- With AAP.