Jill Biden had two cancerous tumors removed from her eye and chest.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, President Joe Biden’s doctor, announced the news in a press statement on Wednesday.
Dr. Biden had an outpatient Mohs operation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center “to remove and evaluate a minor lesion above her right eye,” according to O’Connor’s notes.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, and doctors discovered that the lesion was a type of it.
O’Connor stated that he would “vigorously monitor the location as it recovers” and that “all cancerous tissues were effectively eliminated.” Any residual skin cancer cells were also removed from the margins.
He does not believe she will need any extra surgery.
During the surgery, doctors discovered “a well-circumscribed, small lesion” on the first lady’s left eyelid. According to O’Connor, it was successfully removed and “sent for normal microscopic analysis.”
Doctors also identified a basal cell carcinoma-containing lesion on Dr. Biden’s left chest. It had been “essentially eliminated,” according to O’Connor.
Unlike more serious types of skin cancer, such as melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma lesions are not known to “spread,” he noted.
According to O’Connor, they might grow in size and become more difficult to remove.
According to O’Connor, Dr. Biden “is experiencing some facial swelling and bruising, but is in fantastic spirits and feeling well,” she will return to the White House “later today” after she recovers.
O’Connor stated in a press release sent to Valdivia earlier this month that the lesions were discovered “during a standard skin cancer check” by medical personnel.
Dr. Biden underwent surgery over a year after advising Americans to get cancer tests.
On World Cancer Day, Dr. Biden said in an open letter to the American people, “Life is busy. On top of everything else in our daily lives, we have been coping with a global pandemic for the past two years. Work, kids, parents, commuting, errands, and an endless to-do list.”
“I get it,” she added. Cancer screening is the last thing you want to or have time for. But today, on World Cancer Day, I’m appealing to you to put your health first for a short time. Suppose you’re like millions of other Americans. In that case, you may have skipped a pap smear, colonoscopy, mammogram, or other critical cancer screening in the last two years of the pandemic, but cancer doesn’t stop for COVID.”
So, Dr. Biden said, “If you’ve been putting off going to the doctor, make an appointment immediately.” “Don’t put off having the necessary cancer screenings any longer,” the doctor recommended.
Since the president’s son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015, the first lady and her family have been outspoken about how cancer has touched their lives and inspired them to seek to reduce the harm it causes.
“Cancer touches all of us in some way, and it doesn’t care if you’re busy,” she said in her most recent letter, which she signed with a “XO, Jill.”
