Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis: Here are 5 US Presidents who were tight-lipped about their health issues

Former US President Joe Biden's recent health update got many discussing if the condition was detected earlier or not. Incumbent US President Donald Trump voiced his opinion and cast doubt that doctors who had examined Biden while in office were “not telling the facts”.

The University of Arizona in a study mentioned that at least 5 US Presidents had kept information regarding their health problems a tight secret from the public. 

The presidents mentioned are Chester Alan Arthur, Grover Cleveland, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Woodrow Wilson. 

Chester Alan Arthur - 21st US President

The University of Arizona mentions that after assuming the presidency, Arthur was diagnosed with Bright's disease, a condition that is fatal for the kidneys. It is an inflammatory disease of the kidneys now known as acute glomerular nephritis.

Grover Cleveland - the only US President to serve two non-consecutive terms

In 1893, it was reported that Cleveland became aware of a rough spot on the roof of his mouth. The diagnoses found malignancy and a secret surgery was performed, mentioned the study. It was not until 1917, nine years after Cleveland died, that the public finally learned about the president’s secret surgery.

Franklin D. Roosevelt - 32nd President of the United States

Franklin Roosevelt had taken ill while on a vacation. What he thought was a cold, turned out to be much more disastrous leaving his legs numb and unable to walk. He was finally diagnosed with polio. 

Roosevelt reduced his public appearances in a wheelchair to hide his condition and was seen either leaning on a podium or standing with the help of aides. 

John F. Kennedy - 35th US President

The study mentions that Kennedy had the symptoms of Addison’s disease, a rare condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and aldosterone. While the medications worked to bring his condition under partial control, he was still plagued with back problems, as mentioned in various reports. 

Woodrow Wilson - 28th US President

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson suffered a severe stroke that left him incapacitated until the end of his presidency. However, historian Edwin A. Weinstein mentioned that Wilson had a history of cerebrovascular disorders going back to 1896, sixteen years before he was elected president.

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