WORCESTER, Mass. - Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer which has spread to his bones.

Joe Biden’s personal office made the announcement on Sunday, saying the former president was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule last week and diagnosed Friday with prostate cancer. Dr. Mitchell Sokoloff said, for most men, usually the disease is detected in an earlier stage.

“Not surprised that an 82-year-old gentleman would be diagnosed with prostate cancer," Sokoloff said. "However, it was a little surprising how advanced the disease had become.”

The aggressiveness of prostate cancer is put on a scale of 6 to 10 and the former president’s office says he’s at a 9. The chair of Urology at UMass Memorial Medical Center said typically men are screened for prostate cancer at a younger age.

“You would think as president, as vice president that you'd be getting pretty annual screening for all sorts of things. From what the reports indicate of what brought him to the doctor this time was some difficulty with urination or issues with urination, which is very nonspecific," Sokoloff said. "While, you know, most 80-year-olds might not be screened for prostate cancer, but for men in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, absolutely; screening is essential.”

As the Bidens review treatment options, his cancer has metastasized, Sokoloff said because the cancer has spread to his bones, the former president probably won’t get surgery or radiation, but rather hormonal treatments.

“Men can live five, 10 years on such treatments, routinely," Sokoloff said. "So, this isn't something that he's going to die from immediately, but it will probably require, drug treatments to keep the cancer in check.”

As a urologist and oncologist, Sokoloff comes from a unique perspective when it comes to the disease.

“I was treated for prostate cancer," Sokoloff said, "about a year ago."

Sokoloff said certain risk factors for prostate cancer include race and ethnicity and genetics or family history and it’s important to detect the disease as early as possible.

“I had surgery for it and knock on wood, I'm doing well, I’m cancer free," Sokoloff said. "But again, it is a wakeup call. And this does happen whether, you know, Ben Stiller, when he was diagnosed 5 or 6 years ago, when the former president of the United States gets diagnosed, that awareness for men - get screened. Find out if you're at risk for prostate cancer because the earlier we diagnose it, the better the outcomes.”

As messages of support for the former president are shared around the world, Biden posted on social media Monday morning saying, “Cancer touches us all." Adding he and his wife, Jill, have learned they are strongest in the broken places and thanking everyone for the love and support.