Former US President Joe Biden recently underwent surgery to remove cancerous cells from his skin, his spokesperson confirmed to NBC News on Thursday. The 82-year-old leader had a visible incision on his head when he was photographed leaving a church in Greenville, Delaware.
Biden’s personal office said he is recovering well from the procedure, which is known as Mohs surgery. This procedure is considered one of the most effective ways to treat common forms of skin cancer. Surgeons remove thin layers of cancerous tissue one at a time and examine them under a microscope until no abnormal cells remain. The process allows doctors to remove all of the cancer while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible.
Biden’s past cancer treatments
This isn’t the first time Biden has dealt with skin cancer. In 2023, doctors removed a basal cell carcinoma from his chest during a routine physical exam. At the time, his physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, noted that all cancerous tissue had been removed successfully and that no further treatment was required. Former First Lady Jill Biden also underwent treatment for similar lesions above her eye and on her chest in the same year.
Biden has faced major health concerns in recent months. In May 2024, his office revealed that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had already spread to his bones. Doctors said the cancer was ‘hormone-sensitive,’ meaning he could respond well to available treatments.
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer develops when skin cells grow uncontrollably, usually as a result of DNA damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. It is the most common cancer in the United States. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. More than 9,500 people are diagnosed every day, and over 5 million cases are treated each year.
There are several types of skin cancer:
– Basal cell carcinoma, the most common, often appears as a pearly bump or a flat, flesh-colored lesion.
– Squamous cell carcinoma may show up as a scaly, crusted patch or a sore that does not heal.
– Melanoma, though less common, is the deadliest. It usually begins as a mole that changes in size, colour, or shape.
Signs and symptoms of skin cancer
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, early warning signs of skin cancer include new growths or sores that do not heal, moles or spots that change in size, shape, or color, red or scaly patches of skin, and lesions that itch, bleed, or form a crust. Doctors also recommend following the ABCDE rule to detect melanoma: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter larger than 6 millimeters, and Evolving appearance.
Causes and risk factors of skin cancer
As per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) UV radiation is the biggest cause of skin cancer. Risk is higher for people with fair skin, light eyes, or blonde or red hair, as well as those with a family history of skin cancer. Childhood sunburns, a weakened immune system, and frequent use of tanning beds also increase risk.
Precautionary measures to reduce risk of skin cancer
Though skin cancer cases are on rise, the good news is that most skin cancers are preventable. The CDC recommends simple steps such as using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher every day, wearing protective clothing like wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses, seeking shade during peak hours between 10 am and 4 pm, avoiding indoor tanning, and performing regular self-examinations along with dermatologist checkups. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that consistent sunscreen use can lower the risk of squamous cell carcinoma by about 40 per cent and melanoma by 50 per cent.
Basal cell carcinoma is usually not life-threatening, but Biden’s surgery shows how common skin cancer is and why regular checkups are so important. The procedure he had, called Mohs surgery, is highly effective, with cure rates of up to 99 per cent for new cases. Hence, for Americans protecting their skin from the sun and spotting any warning signs early can make all the difference.