Biden had a cancerous lesion removed from his chest during physical exam

A legion skin lesion removed from President Joe Biden’s chest last month during his annual physical exam was cancerous, White House physician Kevin O’Connor announced Friday, but added that no cancer remained.

The biopsy confirmed that the small lesion was a basal cell carcinoma. All cancerous tissue was successfully removed,’ O’Connor wrote in a memo.

The 80-year-old president will continue to be monitored as part of his ongoing medical care, but the biopsy site has healed and no further treatment is needed, the White House physician added.

President Biden had his chest lesion removed during his physical exam, above Biden on the beach in May 2009.

On Friday, Biden left the White House to spend the weekend at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. That same day he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

In his evaluation of the president, O’Connor deemed him physically fit for the position. He described Biden as ‘healthy’ and ‘vigorous’.

The president is not the only family member to be diagnosed with skin cancer.

Jill Biden underwent Mohs surgery in late January to remove lesions from each eyelid and across her chest. All cancer cells were removed.

The Bidens like to go to the beach and often relax by spending time in the sun. The couple is also known to frequently ride their bikes.

The president underwent his annual review before announcing possible plans to run for a second term in the White House.

At the time of the physical in February, O’Connor noted that Biden had an injury removed and that the results would be available later.

President Joe Biden jogs back to the Oval Office after his annual physical on February 16.

O’Connor said Biden’s gait “remains stiff” but noted it hasn’t worsened since the president’s last exam.

A detailed ‘neurological examination’ also found nothing ‘consistent with any central or cerebellar neurological disorder’.

Biden did not receive a cognitive test despite some calls from Republicans for him to receive one. Republicans are questioning her fitness to run for office, which they are expected to use as a political issue in the upcoming election.

Biden is already the oldest president in US history, and if he wins another term, he will be 82 by 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 that it does not involve skin pigment cells.

BCC often appears as scabs that bleed

BCC accounts for more than 80 percent of all forms of skin cancer in the UK and the US.

Around 5.4 million basal cell 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 ultraviolet light from the sun or tanning beds.

BCC can occur anywhere on the body, but it is most common on sun-exposed areas, 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 using hammocks
• Those with a personal history of the condition.

BCC is usually painless. The first symptoms often only include a scab that bleeds occasionally and does not heal.

Some appear as flat, red, scaly markings or have a pearly border. The latter can erode and become an ulcer.

Others are lumpy with shiny nodules traversed by blood vessels.

Most of the BCCs can be cured, however, the treatment is complex if they are left for a long time.

Treatment usually involves removal of the cancerous growth and some of the surrounding skin.

Source: British Skin Foundation and NHS options