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| Nov 25, 2021

Polyp removed during Biden’s colonoscopy is ‘benign’ -White House physician

/ Our Today

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US President Joe Biden walks from Marine One upon his return to the White House in Washington, U.S., on November 19, after being given a physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. (File Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)    


WASHINGTON (Reuters)

A polyp removed during President Joe Biden’s colonoscopy last week “is a benign, slow-growing, but thought to be precancerous lesion” for which no more action is required at this time, the White House physician said in a letter released on Wednesday (November 24).

The polyp was identified as a “tubular adenoma”, which is similar to one Biden had removed in 2008, Dr Kevin O’Connor said in the letter, which is dated Tuesday.

He said routine surveillance is recommended and that Biden should have another colonoscopy in seven to 10 years.

Biden briefly transferred power to Vice President Kamala Harris last Friday as he underwent the procedure, making her the first woman to hold the presidential reins in US history.

In addition to the colonoscopy, Biden had a physical exam and O’Connor pronounced on Friday that the president was “healthy” and “vigorous” and fit for duty.

Biden, 79, is the oldest person to take office as US president, leading to high interest in his health and well-being.

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