Benign polyp removed from Biden’s colon after check-up

JOE BIDEN had a potentially pre-cancerous polyp removed from his colon last week in a medical procedure that saw Kamala Harris briefly take over as president.

He remains fit for duty after handing over authority to his 57-year-old vicepresident while he was under anaesthetic on Friday.

The growth was small, benign and slow-growing, his doctor said, adding it would require no further action but needs to be monitored.

The 79-year-old, who is the nation’s oldest president, remains “healthy” and “vigorous”, Dr Kevin O’connor said in his initial report after Mr Biden’s first routine physical in office.

But the annual health assessment with the White House physician also revealed that Mr Biden has “significant spinal arthritis” and his “ambulatory gait is perceptibly stiffer and less fluid than it was a year ago”.

He is also suffering from an “increasing frequency and severity of throat clearing”. The 3mm tubular adenoma was similar to one Mr Biden had removed in 2008, Dr O’connor wrote in a memo released by the White House.

Routine surveillance, which normally calls for another colonoscopy in seven to 10 years, was recommended, he said.

Mr Biden is in Nantucket with his extended family for Thanksgiving, staying at the home of David Rubenstein, the billionaire businessman and philanthropist who is chairman of the private equity firm The Carlyle Group.

The Bidens have travelled to Massachusetts for the last 46 years to celebrate the holiday.

In a Thanksgiving Day address yesterday, Mr Biden said: “This is always a special time in America, but this year the blessings of Thanksgiving are especially meaningful.

“As we give thanks for what we have, we also keep in our hearts those who we have lost and those who have lost so much. And those who have an empty seat at their kitchen table or dining room table this year because of this virus or another cruel twist of fate or accident – we pray for them.”

Ms Harris became the first woman to be given US presidential powers while Mr Biden was having his colonoscopy.

The Mayo Clinic defines a colon polyp as a small clump of cells that forms on the lining of the colon.

The clinic says: “Most colon polyps are harmless, they say, but some can develop into cancer over time.

“The best prevention for colon cancer is regular screening for and removal of polyps.”