Lifestyle Health President Biden Had Benign but 'Potentially Pre-Cancerous' Polyp Removed During Colonoscopy The specimen was "similar to the polyp" that President Joe Biden previously had removed in 2008, his doctor, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, said By Nicholas Rice Nicholas Rice Instagram Twitter Nicholas Rice is an Associate Editor for PEOPLE Magazine. He began working with the brand as an Editorial Intern in early 2020, before later transitioning to a freelance role, and then staff positions soon after. Nicholas writes and edits anywhere between 7 to 9 stories per day on average for PEOPLE, spanning across each vertical the brand covers. Nicholas has previous work experience with Billboard, POPSUGAR, Bustle and Elite Daily. When not working, Nicholas can be found playing with his 5 dogs, listening to pop music or eating mozzarella sticks. People Editorial Guidelines Published on November 25, 2021 10:18 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images President Joe Biden is doing well after a routine colonoscopy. This week, Biden's physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that the 79-year-old politician had a single, three-millimeter polyp removed from his ascending colon during the procedure that took place last week. O'Connor said that the growth was identified as tubular adenoma, a benign and slow-growing lesion, that is "thought to be potentially precancerous" after being sent for a histologic examination. The specimen, O'Connor said, was "similar to the polyp" that Biden previously had removed in 2008. O'Connor added that "no further action is required at this time" and recommended Biden remain under "routine surveillance." He also advised that the president repeat another colonoscopy in seven to 10 years. President Joe Biden Is 'Healthy, Vigorous' and Fit to Serve Ahead of His 79th Birthday, Doctor Says Joe Biden. Samuel Corum/Getty Last week, the White House announced that Biden was undergoing the "routine colonoscopy" at Walter Reed Medical Center. "As was the case when President George W. Bush had the same procedure in 2002 and 2007 and following the process set out in the Constitution," Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement, "President Biden will transfer power to the vice president for the brief period of time when he is under anesthesia." The occurrence made Vice President Kamala Harris the first woman to hold the power of the U.S. presidency. After the procedure, and when the transfer of power ended, Psaki, 42, said in a tweet that Biden was in "good spirits" and spoke with Harris from the hospital. RELATED VIDEO: Jill Biden Breast Cancer PSA Biden also underwent his annual physical at Walter Reed Medical Center last week. O'Connor — who has treated Biden since he became vice president in 2009 — wrote that "the president remains fit for duty, and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations." According to his health summary released by the White House, Biden is being treated for several "stable" medical conditions including non-valvular atrial fibrillation, hyperlipidemia, gastroesophageal reflux, seasonal allergies, spinal arthritis, and "mild" sensory peripheral neuropathy of both feet. "President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous 78-year-old male," O'Connor wrote in the report, which came days before his 79th birthday on Nov. 20.