JOE Biden likely had cancer at the start of his presidency in 2021, a leading oncologist has claimed.

Dr Zeke Emanuel made the bombshell claim to Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough on Monday.

“He had it while he was President,” he said. “He probably had it at the start of his presidency, in 2021.”

He questioned how such an advanced form of prostate cancer had flown under the radar until now.

Dr Emanuel was previously appointed to a 16-person COVID advisory board by President Biden.

The 82-year-old former president was seen by his doctors last week where a prostate nodule were found after urinary symptoms.

The cancer has reportedly spread to Biden’s bones.

“He’s had this for many years, maybe even a decade, growing there and spreading,” Dr Emanuel continued.

“That’s right. It’s a little surprising,” he added, to the visible scepticism of his host.

A spokesperson for the former president said: “Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.

“On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.

“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.”

Biden was 78 years old when he was sworn in as president in 2021 – at the time making him the oldest person to assume the office.