OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Former White House doctor for former presidents Obama and Donald Trump has spoken about the cancerous lesion that was removed from President Joe Biden and he believes it is not only the lesion that has to be removed.
The former doctor who is now a Republican representative appeared on the Fox News Show “Sunday Morning Futures” with host Maria Bartitomo to give his take on the news.
“I wonder about the conversation about his capacity,” the host said to Republican Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson. “You have been talking about the president’s cognitive abilities being a national security risk. Tell us more.”
“He’s what needs to be removed, not the lesion they found. But this is just another effort from his physician and from his medical team to distract. They’re going to talk about this. They gave us a bunch of useless information about his cholesterol and stuff that no one cares about,” the former White House doctor said.
“All we care about in this country with regards to President Biden — 80 years old, who’s got some obvious cognitive issues — is a cognitive assessment of some sort. We want something on the record to prove to us he’s cognitively capable of doing this job, and it’s almost a moot point at this stage, because we all know he’s not,” he said.
Rep. Ronny Jackson on Biden having a cancerous lesion removed: "Biden is the cancer. He's what needs to be removed, not the lesion they found." #StayClassy pic.twitter.com/lZRuTingG6
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 5, 2023
President Joe Biden’s doctor announced on Friday that a skin lesion removed from his chest last month was identified as a basal cell carcinoma, which is a prevalent type of skin cancer. The doctor also stated that no additional treatment was necessary, according to reports.
During Biden’s routine physical on February 16th, his longtime physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor confirmed that all cancerous tissue had been successfully removed. Despite being 80 years old, Biden was declared “healthy, vigorous,” and “fit” to perform his duties as president by O’Connor during the examination, the Associated Press reported.
All said, however, this is a significant development as Biden is expected to run for re-election in 2024.
O’Connor also reported that the area where the skin lesion was removed from Biden’s chest has healed well, and the president will continue to undergo regular skin screenings as part of his standard health care plan, the AP noted.
Basal cell skin cancer is a type of skin cancer that arises from the basal cells, which are located in the deeper layers of the epidermis. It is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80 percent of all cases. Basal cell skin cancer usually develops on sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the face, scalp, ears, neck, shoulders, and back.
The main cause of basal cell skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. People with fair skin, light-colored eyes, and a history of sunburns or excessive sun exposure are at a higher risk of developing basal cell skin cancer. Other risk factors include a family history of skin cancer, exposure to chemicals such as arsenic, and a weakened immune system.
Symptoms of basal cell skin cancer include a small, pearly bump on the skin, a red, scaly patch that may bleed or crust, a sore that does not heal, or a shiny, pink or red bump that may be raised or flat. Basal cell skin cancer usually grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it can invade nearby tissues and cause damage if left untreated.
Treatment for basal cell skin cancer depends on the size, location, and type of the tumor, as well as the patient’s age and overall health. The most common treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, and topical medications such as creams and gels. In most cases, basal cell skin cancer can be cured if detected and treated early.
O’Connor’s summary of Biden’s health last month stated that several non-melanoma skin cancers had been removed from the president’s body before he took office. He attributed the cancers to Biden’s extensive sun exposure during his younger years, which had been well-documented.
In January, first lady Jill Biden had two basal cell lesions removed from her right eye and chest. In a recent interview with the Associated Press, she mentioned being extra cautious about wearing sunscreen, particularly during beach visits.
The couple have long been advocates for cancer cures, especially after their son, Beau, died of brain cancer in 2015.
Joe Biden has hinted at a reelection bid but has yet to declare his candidacy formally. Late last month, he got a primary challenger — former Democratic presidential contender Marianne Williamson, who failed to capture the nomination in 2020.
