WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Joe Biden expressed his gratitude to Americans on Monday for their “love and support” after the former US president said he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The weekend revelation that the 82-year-old Democrat had been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer, and that it had spread to his bones, sparked an outpouring of good wishes, including from current President Donald Trump, Biden’s vice president Kamala Harris, and everyday Americans.

“Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places,” the former president, whose son Beau Biden died of cancer in 2015, posted on X with a photograph of him and his wife.

“Thank you for lifting us up with love and support,” he said.

Biden was diagnosed with the disease on Friday after he experienced urinary symptoms and a prostate nodule was found, a statement from his office said.

“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,” it added.

Trump, who has long derided Biden over his cognitive abilities and his four years in office, said he was “saddened” by the news.

“We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery,” Trump, 78, posted Sunday on Truth Social.

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, with the American Cancer Society reporting that one in eight men in the United States are diagnosed with it over their lifetime.

While it is highly treatable if discovered early, it is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, the organisation said.

Hormone therapy is a common treatment that can shrink tumors and slow cancer growth, but is not a cure.