Donald Trump’s surprising statement about Joe Biden’s 'aggressive' cancer has left people online in utter disbelief.
A statement released by his office said that the 82-year-old Democrat, who left the White House in January, had an 'aggressive form of cancer'.
It reads: "Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.
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"On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone."
The statement continues: "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."
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According to Cancer Research UK, a Gleason score of nine means that the cancerous cells 'look very abnormal'.
It also means the disease is 'likely to grow quickly'.
Now, it would appear as if both Trump, as well as his son Donald Trump Jr, are finding it difficult to differentiate between Gleason scores and cancer stages - the latter of which can only go up to stage 4.
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Speaking at a press conference about Biden's diagnosis, the 78-year-old Republican said: "Well, I think it's very sad actually.
"I'm surprised that it wasn't, you know, the public wasn't notified a long time ago because to get to stage 9, that's a long time."
Bear in mind, 'stage 9' cancer doesn't exist.
He went on: "I just had my physical. You saw that? You saw the results of that particular test. I think that test is standard to pretty much anybody getting a physical, good physical, and it takes a long time to get to that situation.
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"Now, I think to get to stage 9, I think that, if you take a look, it's the same doctor that said that Joe was cognitively fine.
"There was nothing wrong with him. Well, he said, if it's the same doctor, he said there was nothing wrong there, and that's being proven to be a sad situation."
Such suggestions that claim Biden delayed sharing his cancer diagnosis, which Trump cited no evidence for at Monday's press conference (19 May), have not been confirmed by Biden's team.
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After catching light of Trumps' blunder, people rushed to social media to share their reactions.
One Instagram user sarcastically quipped: "Stage 9? I’m learning something new…"
"Is really saying stage 9 that confidently," penned a second, while a third sarcastically chimed in: "Which stage 9 is that? Is that something new... probably wasn't taught in nursing school when I was there. Smfh."
A fourth hit out: "Stage 9????? What is he on????"
"Stage 9 wth," echoed a fifth, while another lamented: "The leader of the free world believes there’s a 'stage 9' in a cancer diagnosis, let that sink in."
And a final Instagram user added: "Pretty sure stage 4 is it buddy."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Topics: Cancer, Donald Trump, Health, Politics, US News, News, Social Media, Joe Biden
Rhiannon Ingle