Prominent oncologist Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, who previously served on President Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board, suggested Monday, May 19, that the former president likely had prostate cancer throughout his presidency, potentially for up to a decade before the recent public announcement.
During an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Emanuel, a bioethicist and former Biden administration health advisor, stunned hosts with his assessment that Biden’s cancer had been present for years before the diagnosis was made public on Sunday, May 18.
“He’s had this for many years, maybe even a decade, growing there and spreading,” Emanuel told the program’s hosts. “He did not develop it in the last 100 to 200 days.”
Emanuel, when questioned by host Joe Scarborough on whether his statement was based on speculation or medical opinion, responded firmly, stating that the individual had the condition while serving as president. Emanuel asserted, “He likely had it at the beginning of his presidency in 2021,” adding that he believed there was no significant disagreement on this matter.
The former president’s office announced on Sunday that Biden, 82, had been diagnosed two days earlier with an aggressive form of prostate cancer characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone. According to medical experts, the Gleason scoring system ranges from 6 to 10, with higher scores indicating more aggressive forms of the disease.
Emanuel, who served as a member of Biden’s transition COVID-19 Advisory Board and previously helped craft the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, questioned why routine prostate screening apparently wasn’t performed or reported during Biden’s time in office.
Emanuel stated that after reviewing the records, there appears to be no indication that Biden underwent a prostate-specific antigen test, a common blood screening for identifying potential prostate concerns, at the time his health status and medical records were disclosed.
The doctor explained that while some physicians recommend against performing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) exams for men over 70, Biden’s position as president would typically warrant comprehensive screening.
Emanuel, who holds positions at the University of Pennsylvania as Vice Provost for Global Initiatives and chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, pointed out that former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush both underwent PSA exams while in office as part of standard health screening protocols for commanders-in-chief.
“President Obama had this test. President Bush had this test,” Emanuel said.
When asked about the possibility that testing might have missed the cancer, Emanuel acknowledged that while technically possible, it was unlikely given the aggressive nature of Biden’s cancer and the annual frequency of such tests. “Either they didn’t test for it, or they test for it [and] they didn’t report it. And we didn’t get the information as a public,” he concluded.
The timing of Biden’s diagnosis has drawn particular attention following the announcement, which came just days after the former president had been evaluated for urinary symptoms that led to the discovery of a “small nodule” on his prostate earlier this month.
On Monday, May 19, President Biden publicly acknowledged his diagnosis, stating on social media that “cancer touches us all.” He shared that both he and First Lady Jill Biden have come to understand they are “strongest in the broken places,” and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support they had received.
Emanuel, 66, is a respected figure in the medical community with extensive experience in both oncology and bioethics. He has authored numerous books and publications on healthcare policy and served as a health policy advisor in both the Obama and Biden administrations. He is also the brother of former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who served as White House Chief of Staff under President Obama.
