Former President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his office confirmed Sunday. The diagnosis followed the onset of urinary symptoms, which led doctors to discover a nodule on his prostate. Further testing revealed that the cancer had spread to his bones—a sign of advanced-stage, or metastatic, prostate cancer.
“This is a more aggressive form of the disease,” his office stated, “but the cancer is hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management through targeted therapies.” Biden and his family are currently reviewing treatment options with his medical team.
Biden’s cancer was assigned a Gleason score of 9 on a scale from 6 to 10, indicating high aggressiveness. Metastatic prostate cancer, especially when it spreads to the bone, is significantly more challenging to treat. However, hormone-sensitive cases can respond well to therapies that block the hormones fueling the cancer’s growth.
According to Dr. Matthew Smith of Massachusetts General Brigham Cancer Center, while such cases are not curable, they are increasingly manageable. “It’s very treatable,” Smith said. “Most men in this situation are treated with medications, not surgery or radiation.” Patients with metastatic prostate cancer can often live four to five years post-diagnosis with modern treatments.
The news drew a wave of support from across the political spectrum. Former President Donald Trump shared well wishes on social media, saying, “We wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.” Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her prayers and praised Biden’s strength and resilience. Former President Barack Obama also voiced his support, noting Biden’s leadership in cancer research, particularly through the Cancer Moonshot initiative.
Biden’s health had been a consistent concern during his presidency, especially following a widely criticized debate performance during his reelection campaign. He eventually stepped back from the 2024 race, leading to Vice President Harris becoming the Democratic nominee—who ultimately lost to Trump’s return bid.
This isn’t Biden’s first health scare. In 2023, he had a basal cell carcinoma removed, and in 2021, a benign but potentially pre-cancerous polyp was taken from his colon.
Throughout his political career, Biden has made cancer research a personal mission, driven by the death of his son Beau in 2015 from brain cancer. In 2022, he revived the Cancer Moonshot initiative, aiming to reduce cancer deaths by 50% over 25 years. “This is our moment to show what America can do,” he said when announcing the program.
Biden’s diagnosis underscores the very cause he championed, adding personal urgency to a national goal of defeating cancer through innovation, investment, and determination.
