Introduction
Concerns were raised after former President Joe Biden made public statements suggesting that his cancer had not “penetrated” any organs or bones—despite earlier medical disclosures from his office indicating metastasis to the bone. This discrepancy has prompted DBUNK to verify the accuracy and context of both statements.
Historical Context
Prostate cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men. When caught early, it has a high survival rate, but when the disease metastasizes—particularly to the bone—it enters a more advanced and serious stage. It’s not uncommon for public figures to face scrutiny over their health, especially during or after holding high political office. Former President Biden has faced added attention on this front due to questions around transparency related to both physical and cognitive health.
Fact-Check of Specific Claims
Claim #1: “It hasn’t penetrated… It’s not in any organ. My bones are strong.”
This claim directly contradicts an earlier and official medical statement from Biden’s office. According to the official release, which was widely reported by reputable outlets including The New York Times and The Washington Post, Biden was diagnosed with an “aggressive form of prostate cancer” that had already “metastasized to the bone.” Therefore, his statement claiming that the cancer hadn’t penetrated is factually inaccurate. Bone metastasis indicates that cancer cells have left the prostate and invaded bone tissue, directly opposing what Biden described.
Claim #2: “The prognosis is good… we’re going to be able to beat this.”
This statement is presented as optimism and future expectation, which makes it difficult to fact-check definitively. However, experts from the American Cancer Society clarify that metastasis to the bone in prostate cancer significantly lowers survival odds, despite treatment advances. While some cases of metastatic prostate cancer can be managed for extended periods with hormone therapy and chemotherapy, it cannot accurately be described as “beatable” in the conventional sense. His prognosis likely depends on various medical factors that are not publicly disclosed, suggesting that the statement, while hopeful, omits important context on severity.
Claim #3: “My bones are strong.”
This statement may seem benign but is misleading in the medical context. In cases of metastatic prostate cancer to bone, bone strength typically diminishes due to growing cancer lesions. According to medical experts at Mayo Clinic, bone metastasis often leads to fragility, risk of fractures, and pain. While treatments like bisphosphonates can help slow bone weakening, stating that bones remain “strong” without clarification misrepresents the clinical reality of the diagnosis and may minimize the seriousness of the condition to the public.
Claim #4: “There’s nothing to sustain claims of impaired physical and mental capabilities.”
This comment refers to recent allegations from the book “Original Sin” suggesting Biden experienced cover-ups regarding his physical and cognitive health during his term. While some journalists assert these claims, no official medical examiner or cognitive test results have been released to confirm them. Biden’s office has categorically denied them, and independent medical verification is currently unavailable. Therefore, we rate this as: Insufficient evidence.
Conclusion
The ABC News article provides mostly accurate quotations of Biden’s statements and offers useful context, including prior medical briefings. However, Biden’s own remarks include two notable cases of factual contradiction: his claim that cancer has not “penetrated” bones or organs conflicts with official medical disclosures, and his statement about continued bone strength lacks necessary medical qualification. While optimism in prognosis is subjective, the article would benefit from better clarifying these discrepancies to prevent public confusion. Overall, ABC News itself did not misreport facts, but Biden’s statements included misleading or inaccurate representations of his medical condition.
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Link to Original Article
Click here to read the original article on ABC News
