Joe Biden makes first public appearance after cancer diagnosis

Joe Biden made his first public appearance since announcing his prostate cancer diagnosis.

Speaking at a Memorial Day commemoration, he said: "My friends, Memorial Day is about something profound," a somewhat fired-up Biden declared. "Our politics have become so divided and bitter. All the years I have been doing this, I never thought we would get to this point, but we are."

He added: "Our troops do not wear a uniform that says I'm a Democrat or a Republican. It says, I am an American!"

America's 46th president revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis this month. The disease was said to have spread to his bones, while the Biden family were reportedly reviewing treatment options. In a statement, Biden's office said: "President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms," the statement read.

"He was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone. While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management. The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians."

At his Memorial Day appearance, President Biden spoke about his late son Beau, who died of brain cancer a decade ago. Beau served in Iraq before his death in 2015 aged 46.

Donald Trump extended well wishes to President Biden when his diagnosis was revealed, saying he and wife Melania "extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery".

Last week, President Biden attended his grandson's high school graduation, appearing alongside family members in Salisbury, Connecticut. Photos posted by the former president's wife Jill had the caption "Proud Nana and Pop!".

President Biden's office has confirmed he had never been diagnosed with prostate cancer prior to this month and that the former US commander-in-chief had not been tested for the disease in over a decade.

His diagnosis reignited debate over the former president's age and health that had raged during the 2024 election campaign, which President Biden ultimately withdrew from in favour of former vice president Kamala Harris. Biden family members have repeatedly defended the former president from allegations that he suffered from declining cognitive or physical health while in office.