Joe Biden had ‘potentially pre-cancerous’ polyp removed during colonoscopy

President Joe Biden had a ‘benign’ polyp removed during his routine colonoscopy last week that was ‘potentially pre-cancerous’, the White House has revealed.

The single, three-millimeter ‘tubular adenoma’ was ‘slow-growing, but thought to be (a) pre-cancerous lesion’, White House physician Dr Kevin O’Connor said in a letter released on Wednesday. 

It was ‘similar to the polyp’ that Biden had removed in 2008, O’Connor said, according to People.

O’Connor added that no further action was needed around Biden’s health at this time. The physician advised that the president continue ‘routine surveillance’ and have another colonoscopy in seven to 10 years.

‘The President has never had colon cancer,’ O’Connor said in a report.  

The detail was announced five days after Biden went to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for his annual physical, which included the colonoscopy that required being under anesthesia. Biden had his physical a day before his 79th birthday.

A report on the results of Biden’s physical released on Friday afternoon stated that the ‘president remains fit for duty’.

‘President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous, 78-year-old man, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those of Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief,’ O’Connor wrote in that memo.

Biden’s physical showed that his head, ears, nose and throat overall were normal and that his lungs were clear. The president’s ‘heart demonstrates a regular pulse rate and characteristically “irregularly irregular” rhythm,’ the report stated.

During his physical on Friday morning, Biden temporarily transferred power to Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the first woman and Asian American to hold presidential authority albeit briefly.

Although Biden’s physical reflected he is healthy and fit to serve as president, many Americans appear to not be convinced.

A Politico/Morning Consult poll published last week found that around 50% of American voters disagree with the statement that ‘Biden is in good health’, while just 40% agree and 10% have no opinion.

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