(Gray News) — Former President Joe Biden is urging men to get screened for prostate cancer while he continues his own battle with the illness.

In a post on X, Biden said his treatments have been working.

“I am deeply grateful to the doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who helped to control my cancer and who continue to take such good care of me. Their skill, dedication, and compassion mean so much. The radiation treatment from last fall worked as intended, and I continue to do the things I care about, like finishing my memoir,” he wrote.

September marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Biden said by the time his prostate cancer was caught, it had already spread to his bones.

“When prostate cancer is caught early, the five-year survival is close to 100%. So have the conversation with your doctor. Don’t put it off,” Biden continued.

Biden said guidelines show that men at average risk should start screenings around age 50 and have them every two to four years. Black men should start at age 45 or earlier, because they are 70% more likely to get the disease.

According to the CDC, Black men are also more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than other men.

Men who have had close relatives with prostate cancer, like a father or brother, should also start screenings at 45 or earlier.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out and continues to keep me and my family in your prayers. We appreciate every single one of you,” Biden wrote.

According to the CDC, aside from nonmelanoma skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States. It is also one of the leading causes of cancer death among men of all races.

“It’s my hope and prayer that by sharing our experience and being part of this important conversation, we can help save lives. Talk to your doctors. Ask the hard questions. Do it for yourself, and do it for the people who love you,” Biden wrote.

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