President Joe Biden's doctor said in a statement released by the White House Press Office that he had a small breast lesion removed for signs of skin cancer during his annual checkup at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Thursday.
dr. Kevin O'Connor, a former U.S. Army medic who has treated Biden since becoming vice president, said he remains "a healthy, courageous 80-year-old man who is able to successfully carry out the duties of president. Executive officer, chief. Chief of state and chief of staff."
The president's doctor said a "small cut" on Biden's chest will be sent for a "routine biopsy," the results of which are not yet known. The lesion was discovered during a full-body skin exam on Mr. Biden, who had "multiple non-melanoma skin cancers" removed before he took office at the White House.
In addition, Dr. O'Connor said the president is currently taking Eliquis, a blood thinner prescribed for "nonvalvular atrial fibrillation," a type of abnormal heart rhythm described in the memo as "regularly irregular." no "noticeable whispering, galloping or murmuring" despite normal heart rate.
Biden's doctor also said the president's frequent throat clearing was a sign of "unexpected post-meal reflux."
Acid reflux was reported in a similar memo distributed by Mr. Biden after November 2021.
"My initial assessment that GERD was the cause of the President's throat clearing and coughing was supported by findings and expert advice," said Dr. O'Connor.
It added that Mr. Biden's lung exam, chest X-ray and oxygen saturation level measurements were all normal, and noted that the president would continue to take Pepcid to treat his acid reflux.
dr. O'Connor said he performed a "very detailed neurological exam" to confirm that Biden's stiff gait in recent years was the result of "wear and tear" on his spine, and not any condition. degenerative neurology. .
The doctor added that the neurological examination was "again reassuring" with no findings consistent with cerebellar or other central neurological disorders such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or progressive lateral sclerosis.