Former President Joe Biden, now 82, has started a tough regimen of radiation therapy to fight an aggressive prostate cancer, as Breitbart reports.

Confirmed over the weekend, Biden, who disclosed his diagnosis in May, is now undergoing a five-week course of radiation alongside hormone therapy to manage this serious illness.

Let’s step back to the beginning of this health saga. It all kicked off when urinary troubles led doctors to find a small nodule on his prostate, soon diagnosed as a severe form of cancer. Tests later revealed the disease had spread to his bones, darkening the prognosis.

Biden’s challenging diagnosis comes to light

When Biden first shared this news in May, he tried to keep spirits high. “The expectation is we’re going to be able to beat this,” he told CNN, clinging to hope despite the grim reality. But let’s face facts -- hope is vital, yet bone metastasis isn’t a hurdle you clear with just a positive outlook.

The hard truth from his medical team is that the cancer’s spread to his bones makes it incurable. Thankfully, cutting-edge hormone therapies and chemotherapy can still extend life significantly.

Dr. Benjamin Davies, a urologic oncology expert at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, offered some insight on this. He told CNN that “recent developments in chemotherapy and hormone therapies can greatly extend the life expectancy of those who are similarly afflicted.”

While that’s encouraging, one can’t help but question if our culture sometimes hypes medical breakthroughs beyond their practical reach.

Radiation treatment marks new phase of battle

Now, as of this month, Biden is deep into radiation therapy paired with hormone treatment. A spokesperson affirmed to NBC News that this approach is part of a strategic effort to control the disease.

Enduring five weeks of radiation is a daunting task, especially at his age. It speaks to Biden’s determination, though some might ponder if the progressive policies he backed ever prioritized personal wellness over political point-scoring.

On top of this, Biden isn’t new to cancer battles -- he had Mohs surgery just last month to address skin cancer lesions. It’s another reminder of the health challenges piling up for the former leader.

Cancer moonshot meets personal struggle

During his presidency, Biden championed the “cancer moonshot” initiative, a bold push to advance diagnosis and treatment of this disease. There’s a poignant irony in him now facing the very illness he sought to combat through policy.

From a conservative angle, such initiatives often seem more about grandstanding than delivering real help, diverting funds from practical solutions while everyday Americans grapple with healthcare costs.

Still, it’s tough not to sympathize with someone in such a personal fight after advocating for others.

Biden’s specific type of prostate cancer, though aggressive, does respond to hormone therapy, according to his physicians. This gives a window to slow the disease, even if a full recovery isn’t on the table.

Conservative angle on Biden's cancer fight

Through a conservative lens, this situation highlights the need for individual accountability in health matters over reliance on government programs. Biden’s “moonshot” sounded ambitious, but real progress often comes from private sector innovation, not top-down directives.

That said, respect is due for facing an incurable condition under public scrutiny -- it’s a heavy load to bear, no matter one’s politics. While policy critiques stand, wishing harm on anyone in this fight contradicts the core decency many conservatives value.

As Biden soldiers through these five weeks of radiation, the country watches with concern and intrigue. How this unfolds is uncertain, but it’s a sobering note that health, not political battles, often pens the last chapter.

Here’s hoping for improvement in his condition, even as skepticism about broader narratives lingers.