Former US President Biden Diagnosed with Aggressive Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, with a Gleason score of 9 indicating the severity of the disease. The cancer is hormone-sensitive, offering some hope for effective management as Biden and his family consider treatment options. This diagnosis has reignited scrutiny over a 2022 speech in which Biden appeared to say he "has cancer," a comment previously explained by the White House as referencing past skin cancer, but now viewed by critics and some as a possible early admission. The announcement drew a range of reactions, including well-wishes from political opponents and limited sympathy from some on the left due to ongoing political tensions. Biden’s health challenges add to a long history of medical issues dating back decades. Meanwhile, in North Dakota, Pat Traynor has been appointed as interim head of the state's Department of Health and Human Services, highlighting ongoing leadership changes in state health agencies.