- Hamamsa Spring
- BBC News Arabic
The White House announces the recovery of US President Joe Biden from basal cell carcinoma
White House physician Kevin O’Connor announced on March 3 that the tests conducted by US President Joe Biden in February /Last February, I confirmed that there was a skin tumor removed from his chest and it was a basal cell carcinoma, stressing that all cancerous tissues were removed successfully.
“No further treatment is needed,” O’Connor said. He added that the US President will remain under medical observation for dermatological diseases during an ongoing treatment plan, although he is now recovering.
And last month, doctors at the White House declared Joe Biden, who is 80, healthy and fit to work following physical examinations. O’Connor stated in a letter published by the White House that there is no indication of the spread or transmission of basal cell carcinoma to other places in Biden’s body.
After conducting the examinations, it became clear that the tumor is known and common, and it is a type of skin cancer that does not usually spread, and it is not considered a dangerous tumor.
Biden and recovering for the second time from melanoma
US President Joe Biden revealed in July last year that he had cancer during a speech on global warming in the US state of Massachusetts. Speaking regarding the health effects of emissions from oil refineries near his childhood home in Clement, Delaware, Biden said: “That’s why I and so many of the people I grew up with have cancer.”
The White House said at the time that US President Joe Biden’s talk regarding his cancer was an indication that he had the disease before he became president, and he was treated for it. “Biden was referring to non-melanoma skin cancers that were removed before he took office,” he added. A summary of President Biden’s health, released in November last year, stated that several non-melanoma localized skin cancers had been removed from him before he assumed the presidency.
image copyright Archyde.com
Last year, the US President spoke regarding his skin cancer during a speech in Massachusetts
Media reports speculated that Biden’s announcement last year was a slip of the tongue, rather than an official disclosure that he had the disease.
What is basal cell carcinoma?
Clinic website says Mayoclinic American Basal cell carcinoma is a different type of skin cancer. This type of cancer begins in the basal cells in human skin cells, and these cells produce new skin cells to replace the cells that die.
Basal cell carcinoma appears as a change in the skin, such as a lump or ulcer. Skin changes usually have one or more characteristics such as a bright, skin-colored bump that is translucent. The bump may also be pearly white or pink on white skin. The bump is brown or black, shiny on brown or black skin.
image copyright Average AP
Basal cell carcinoma appears as a change in the skin
According to the American “Mayo Clinic” website, basal cell carcinoma occurs due to a mutation in the DNA of one of the basal cells of the skin that are located under the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin. The basal cells are the ones that produce new skin cells. As new skin cells are being produced, they push older cells toward the surface of the skin to die and peel off.
The process of producing new skin cells is controlled by the DNA of the basal cells. DNA contains the instructions that tell cells what to do. The mutation instructs the basophils to multiply rapidly and continue growing when they would normally die. Eventually, the accumulation of abnormal cells may form a polyp, which are those spots that appear on the skin.
Basal cell carcinoma is located mostly in parts of the skin that are exposed to the sun, such as the head, face, and neck. It is believed that the majority of basal cell carcinomas are caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Treatment and prevention of basal cell carcinoma
The American medical site indicates that the goal of basal cell carcinoma treatment is to remove the entire tumor, and the choice of the most appropriate and best type of treatment for the patient depends on the type, location, and size of the cancer that has occurred, and the choice of treatment depends on whether this is the first time that the patient has been infected Basal cell carcinoma or is it a recurrent condition.
Basal cell carcinoma is also treated with surgery to remove all of the cancerous tumor and some of the healthy tissue around it.
To reduce the risk of basal cell carcinoma, consultant hematologist and oncologist Marwan Al-Aksha told the BBC: “The sun should be avoided during the midday period, and if direct sunlight is exposed, a sunscreen should be used, and it is advised to apply it in abundant quantity, and to repeat that when swimming or sweating.”
To prevent basal cell carcinoma, direct sunlight should be avoided
Doctors generally recommend checking the skin regularly, and informing the doctor of any changes that may occur. Examine the skin, sometimes by looking for new growths in the skin or changes in existing moles, freckles, bumps and birthmarks.
Celebrities who have had basal cell carcinoma
Celebrities’ skin may look very perfect in front of the cameras, but this does not prevent celebrities from developing skin cancer. One of the most famous Hollywood stars and actresses who had basal cell carcinoma was the Australian actor. Hugh Jackman He was diagnosed with the disease in May / May 2014.
American actress Diane Keaton She was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma when she was 21 years old, and following that she underwent a number of surgeries to remove skin cancerous tumors. Keaton spoke regarding one of the most important reasons for her skin cancer, which is her exposure to direct sunlight in order to obtain a bronze complexion without using sunscreens.
image copyright EPA
American actress Brooke Shields was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma in 2009
The famous American model and actress revealed Brooke Shields In 2009, when she underwent the removal of a number of cancerous cells in her face following she had basal cell carcinoma, Shields said that the reason for her disease was due to her sitting during adolescence in the sun for long periods to obtain a bronze complexion without using sunscreen cream.
The White House’s disclosure of US President Joe Biden’s health condition and his recovery from basal cell carcinoma comes in the midst of Biden and the Democratic Party’s preparations for the upcoming presidential elections, scheduled for next year 2024.