Former U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, according to an official statement released by his office on Sunday.
The diagnosis came on Friday, following a medical consultation prompted by increasing urinary symptoms. Examinations revealed a high-grade malignancy, with a Gleason score of 9 out of 10, indicating rapid and potentially widespread growth, according to Cancer Research UK.
Despite the severity, Biden’s doctors say the cancer is hormone-sensitive—a positive indicator that suggests treatment could still be effective in managing the disease. His family is currently reviewing potential therapeutic options.
“Last week, President Joe Biden underwent evaluation for new urinary symptoms, which led to the discovery of a prostate nodule,” the statement read. “Subsequent tests confirmed prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) and bone metastasis. While this denotes an advanced and aggressive form of the disease, its hormone-sensitive nature allows for promising management options.”
In the wake of the news, expressions of support have poured in from across the political spectrum.
President Donald Trump shared his well wishes on Truth Social, stating that he and First Lady Melania Trump were saddened by the diagnosis. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the entire Biden family. We wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, echoed similar sentiments on X, saying: “Joe is a fighter—and I know he will confront this challenge with the strength and resilience that have always defined his leadership.”
Former President Barack Obama also shared a heartfelt message. “No one has done more to drive progress in cancer research than Joe,” he wrote. “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family. We’re praying for his full and speedy recovery.” In 2016, Obama had appointed Biden to spearhead the "Cancer Moonshot" initiative aimed at accelerating cancer research breakthroughs.
The news of Biden’s diagnosis comes less than a year after he exited the 2024 presidential race amid mounting concerns over his health and advanced age. At 82, Biden remains the oldest person to have ever held the office of U.S. President.
His withdrawal followed a widely criticized performance during a televised debate against Republican challenger—and current president—Donald Trump. Kamala Harris later replaced Biden as the Democratic Party’s nominee.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States, trailing only skin cancer. The CDC estimates that approximately 13 in every 100 men will develop the disease during their lifetime, with age being the most significant risk factor.
Dr. William Dahut, Chief Scientific Officer at the American Cancer Society, described Biden’s case as particularly serious. “When cancer has spread to the bones, it’s generally not considered curable,” he told the BBC. However, he emphasized that many patients respond well to initial treatments and can live for many years post-diagnosis.
He added that Biden is likely to be prescribed hormonal therapy aimed at slowing cancer progression and managing symptoms.
Since stepping down from public office, Biden has kept a relatively low profile, making occasional appearances. He last spoke publicly at a disability advocacy conference in Chicago this past April and later gave an exclusive interview to the BBC, where he described his decision to withdraw from the presidential race as "difficult but necessary."
Addressing recent speculation about his cognitive health, Biden dismissed the rumors in a May appearance on The View, saying: “There is no evidence to support those claims.”
A longtime advocate for cancer research, Biden and his wife relaunched the Cancer Moonshot initiative in 2022 with an ambitious goal: to prevent over four million cancer deaths by 2047. The mission holds personal significance for the former president, who lost his eldest son, Beau Biden, to brain cancer in 2015.
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