CNN halted for breaking news – and it's bad for Joe Biden

CNN was interrupted for a breaking news segment – and it was more bad news for former US president Joe Biden, who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The former American leader, 82, confirmed his diagnosis earlier this month, with his spokesperson revealing the aggressive disease had spread to his bones.

Presenter Kasie Hunt was hosting her Arena show on CNN when she spoke to correspondent Arlette Saenz, who explained: “A Biden spokesperson tells me that former president Joe Biden, his last known PSA – which is a screening that could be used for prostate cancer – was conducted in 2014.”

She said the spokesperson told her "he was never diagnosed with cancer before the Friday diagnosis (May 16) that came from his doctors”. The news eventually broke on Sunday, May 18, with Mr Biden breaking his silence about the illness the day after.

Saenz went on: “Now, to give you a bit of a background, the PSA test checks the blood for levels of a protein called prostate-specific antigen that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer.

“Many medical associations say that whether to have this test is something that’s usually determined between a patient and their doctor, and independent experts who have reviewed some screening studies for the US Preventive Services Task Force recommend against screening for prostate cancer for men 70 and older.

“In 2014, Biden would have been in that 71-72 age range. Now this new disclosure from Biden’s spokesperson comes as President Donald Trump and some of his allies have questioned why Biden’s cancer diagnosis was not revealed earlier.”

Many have suggested there was “conspiracy” about Mr Biden's health, with reported issues allegedly covered up while he was still president.

As Saenz spoke, a breaking news banner across the screen read: “Breaking news – ‘Prior to Friday, President Biden had never been diagnosed with prostate cancer’.”