Former President Joe Biden, aged 82, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. His office announced the diagnosis on Sunday following a recent medical evaluation triggered by urinary symptoms. Tests conducted last week confirmed the diagnosis on Friday.
The cancer has been identified as an aggressive and advanced form, with a Gleason score of 9 out of 10. This high score suggests the disease could progress rapidly. Despite the seriousness, Biden’s medical team said the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which means it may respond well to hormone therapy and be manageable.
Biden’s office revealed the diagnosis came after doctors found a prostate nodule during the evaluation. The cancer has been classified as Grade Group 5, indicating a severe stage, with evidence that it has spread to the bones. The hormone-sensitive nature of the cancer provides some hope for effective treatment options.
Family members and medical experts are currently discussing the best treatment path. Hormone therapy, which is often effective for cancers like this, is likely to be a key part of the treatment. This approach may help control symptoms and slow the cancer’s growth.
After the news became public, political leaders expressed their support and sympathy for Biden and his family. Former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump shared their condolences and wished Biden a speedy recovery. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, also offered public support. Barack Obama and Michelle Obama sent their best wishes, recognizing Biden’s lifelong work in cancer research.
Internationally, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his hopes for Biden’s quick recovery and extended his thoughts to the former president’s family.
This announcement comes less than a year after Biden ended his 2024 presidential campaign amid concerns about his age and health. Biden remains the oldest person to have served as U.S. president. His withdrawal followed a widely criticized debate performance against then-President Donald Trump. Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee in his place.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men after skin cancer. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 13 out of 100 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. Age is the primary risk factor for this disease.
Medical experts note that the presence of bone metastases usually signals an incurable stage of prostate cancer. However, many patients respond well to initial treatments like hormone therapy, which can improve quality of life and extend survival.
Since leaving office, Biden has largely stayed out of the public eye. In April, he spoke at a conference focused on disability advocacy in Chicago. In May, he gave his first media interview since leaving the White House, describing his decision to leave the presidential race as difficult but necessary. During a televised appearance the same month, he denied any cognitive decline, stating there was no evidence to support those claims.
Biden’s dedication to cancer research has been shaped by personal tragedy. In 2015, he lost his eldest son, Beau Biden, to brain cancer. This loss inspired his long-term commitment to cancer advocacy. In 2022, he and First Lady Jill Biden relaunched a national initiative aimed at reducing cancer deaths by 50 percent by 2047, hoping to prevent millions of cancer-related deaths across the country.
For more information about prostate cancer and treatment options, you can visit reputable sources such as the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
