Al Roker has opened up about his own battle with prostate cancer and shared an inspiring message for former President Joe Biden after it was revealed that Biden has been diagnosed with the disease. The Today weatherman, who has been through his own health struggles, reflected on his journey and offered words of encouragement to Biden as the 82-year-old faces his own challenging battle.
Roker, 68, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020 and had an 8 on the Gleason scale at the time. Despite the aggressive nature of the disease, he was fortunate that it was caught early, giving him a wide range of treatment options. “When I was diagnosed, I had an 8 on the Gleason scale, but they said they had caught it early, even though it was aggressive,” Roker shared in his comments on Today. “So I had a fairly wide range of treatment options.” 
In November 2020, Roker underwent successful surgery at New York City’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to remove his prostate, some surrounding tissue, and lymph nodes. He announced in May 2021 that his six-month checkup found no detectable cancer, receiving a clean bill of health.
In contrast, Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis came with a Gleason score of 9 and metastasis to the bone, a much more serious diagnosis than Roker’s. The Gleason scoring system for prostate cancer, which ranges from 2 to 10, with scores of 6 and above considered cancerous, placed Biden in the high-risk category, with a score of 9 indicating a very high grade of cancer.
Al Roker sent his well wishes to Biden in response to the former president’s announcement on social media. In a heartfelt message, Roker said, “Mr. President. As I found out from my battle with prostate cancer, you are part of a group that no one wants to be part of, but knowing you, you will face this latest challenge with courage, humor, and grace.” 
Roker and Biden share a friendly history, dating back to Biden’s time as vice president. The two have often exchanged light-hearted moments, such as fist bumps or handshakes during various public events, including inaugural parades. Biden also offered his support to Roker after he underwent shoulder surgery in 2014, and Roker returned the favor by connecting with Biden during the 2021 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Roker’s message to Biden came from a place of empathy and friendship, reminding everyone that facing prostate cancer is a difficult challenge, but with strength, humor, and a positive attitude, it can be overcome.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
