The lesion removed from President Joe Biden‘s chest last month during his annual physical was cancerous, the White House doctor announced on Friday, but added all basal cell tissue was removed.
‘The biopsy confirmed that the small lesion was basal cell carcinoma. All cancerous tissue was successfully removed,’ Dr. Kevin O’Connor said.
‘No further treatment is required.’
Biden, 80, is healing ‘nicely’ at the biopsy site and will ‘continue dermatologic surveillance as part of his ongoing comprehensive healthcare,’ O’Connor noted.
The president had a skin lesion removed from his chest during his annual physical on February 16th. His health check up came amid the expectation he will soon announce he’ll run for re-election.
President Joe Biden had lesion removed from his chest during February physical
O’Connor, in his evaluation of the president, deemed him still physically fit for office. He described Biden as ‘healthy’ and ‘vigorous.’
The president is not the only member of the family to be diagnosised with skin cancer.
Jill Biden had Mohs surgery in late January to remove lesions from each eyelid and on her chest. All cancerous cells were removed.
The Bidens are found of going to the beach and often wind down by spending time in the sun. The couple are also frequent bike riders.
The president got his annual checkup ahead of the 2024 election where he is expected to run for a second term in the White House.
At the time of physical, O’Connor noted Biden had the lesion removed and results would be available at a later date.
President Joe Biden jogs back to the Oval Office after his annual physical on Feburary 16
O’Connor said Biden’s gait ‘remains stiff,’ but noted it has not got worse since the president’s last examination.
There was also a detailed ‘neurologic exam’ that found nothing ‘consistent with any cerebellar or central neurological disorder’.
Biden didn’t receive a cognative test despite some calls from Republicans for him to receive one. Republicans are questioning his fitness to run for office, which they are expected to use as a political issue in the next election.
Read Related Also: Killer of graduate Zara Aleena should have been recalled to prison six days before brutal slaying
Biden is already the oldest president in U.S. history, and if he wins another term would be 82 at the time of his second inauguration.
WHAT IS BASAL CELL CARCINOMA?
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer.
Non-melanoma means it does not involve skin pigment cells.
BCC often appears as scabs that bleed
BCC makes up more than 80 per cent of all forms of skin cancer in the UK and US.
About 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the US and around 100,000 in the UK.
It is mainly caused by overexposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds.
BCC can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck and ears.
The following people are most at risk:
- People with fair skin or hair
- Those who work outdoors
- People who use sunbeds
- Those with a personal history of the condition
BCC is usually painless. Early symptoms often only include a scab that bleeds occasionally and does not heal.
Some appear as flat, red, scaly marks or have a pearl-like rim. The latter can then erode into a ulcer.
Others are lumpy with shiny nodules crossed by blood vessels.
Most BCCs can be cured, however, treatment is complex if they are left for a long time.
Treatment usually involves removing the cancerous tumour and some of the surrounding skin.
Source: British Skin Foundation and NHS Choices
