Former United States President Joe Biden has undergone surgery to treat skin cancer, his office confirmed on Thursday.
The 82-year-old was recently seen leaving a church in Delaware during the Labour Day weekend with a visible bandage and scar on his forehead, sparking public concern.
His spokesperson, Kelly Scully, later clarified that Biden had Mohs surgery, a common procedure used to treat skin cancer.
“Mohs surgery is a precise and effective method. It allows doctors to remove cancerous cells layer by layer while preserving as much healthy skin as possible,” Scully explained.
Although the specific type of skin cancer was not disclosed, medical experts often recommend this treatment for early-stage cancers, where quick intervention improves recovery chances.
This is not Biden’s first brush with skin cancer. In 2023, while serving as president, he had a basal cell carcinoma removed from his chest. At the time, his physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, confirmed the cancer had been “completely excised with no further treatment required.”
Biden has also faced more serious health challenges. In May this year, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. Despite the diagnosis, he has remained optimistic.
Reflecting on his experience, Biden said: “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places.”
His family’s history underscores the impact of the disease. His late son, Beau Biden, died of a brain tumour, while First Lady Jill Biden had two cancerous skin lesions removed in 2023.
Health experts stress that Biden’s case highlights the importance of routine medical checks. According to the American Cancer Society, early detection significantly increases the chances of survival.
The organisation recommends that men at average risk begin prostate cancer screening at 50, while those at higher risk—including Black men and individuals with a family history—should start at 45.
At present, Biden remains the oldest living former U.S. president and continues to make occasional public appearances. His team says he is “focused on recovery and maintaining his health while staying engaged with the public.”