Biden says he's 'optimistic' in first public address after prostate cancer diagnosis

Biden says he's "feeling good" after cancer diagnosis

Former US President Joe Biden said he was feeling "optimistic" about the future as he delivered his first public remarks since revealing he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer.

"Well, the prognosis is good. You know, we're working on everything. It's moving along. So, I feel good," Biden said after an event in Delaware belatedly marking Monday's Memorial Day federal holiday.

"The expectation is, we're going to be able to beat this … it's not in any organ. My bones are strong. It hasn't penetrated so I'm feeling good," he added.

He mentioned that "one of the leading surgeons in the world" is working with him and that his family remains optimistic about the diagnosis.

When asked about recent controversy related to his mental and physical capabilities while in office, Biden joked, with a smile, "You can see that - I'm mentally incompetent and I can't."

"It's not in any organ, my bones are strong, it hasn't penetrated. So I'm feeling good," he added. Earlier, Biden's office announced that he is battling prostate cancer with a Gleason score of nine, placing him in the most severe category of the disease.

"For the Bidens, this day is the 10th anniversary, the loss of my son Beau, who spent a year in Iraq," said Biden, who had attended a memorial service for his son earlier in the day.

"And, to be honest, it's a hard day."

He expressed no regrets about seeking a second term, stating that his Democratic critics had the opportunity to challenge him but didn’t, saying, "because I'd have beaten them."

Following the announcement of Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis, former First Lady Jill Biden faced criticism from some quarters.

On Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt accused former First Lady Jill Biden of lying and urged her to "speak up about what she saw in regards to her husband and when she saw it and what she knew."

When questioned about Leavitt's statement, Biden smiled and responded, "I don't know who the press secretary is," later clarifying that he was joking and acknowledging that the media would likely interpret his comment literally.