Former US President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, according to a statement from his office on Sunday. The diagnosis follows reports from Friday after Biden experienced increasing urinary symptoms, leading doctors to detect a small nodule on his prostate.
The type of cancer is aggressive, classified by a Gleason score of 9, indicating a high-grade form of the disease. Despite its severity, the cancer is described as hormone-sensitive, which could allow for effective management, the statement revealed. Biden and his family are currently reviewing treatment options.
Biden, who left office in January, made history as the oldest serving president in US history. His health has been a topic of scrutiny throughout his first term, which culminated in his decision to withdraw from the 2024 election race due to concerns about his health and age.
In response to the news of his diagnosis, public figures from across the political spectrum have expressed support. Former President Donald Trump extended his best wishes on social media, writing that he and First Lady Melania Trump were “saddened” by the diagnosis. He added, “We wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Vice President Kamala Harris also expressed her support, sharing a post on X, stating, “Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership.”
Barack Obama, who served alongside Biden for eight years, sent his thoughts to the Biden family, noting Biden’s longstanding commitment to cancer research. “Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe,” Obama wrote.
The diagnosis comes nearly a year after Biden dropped out of the 2024 race, a decision fueled by mounting concerns about his age and health. Biden’s decision to step down opened the door for Kamala Harris to take the Democratic nomination.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men, with age being the primary risk factor, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 13 out of every 100 men will develop prostate cancer at some point in their lifetime.
Dr. William Dahut, Chief Scientific Officer at the American Cancer Society, commented on the severity of Biden’s diagnosis. “Cancer that has spread to the bones is typically considered incurable,” Dahut explained. “However, many patients respond well to treatment and can live for many years with the disease.”
Biden has made few public appearances since leaving office, but his health has been a subject of discussion in recent months. In interviews, including one in May, Biden denied claims of cognitive decline during his last year in office, asserting there was no evidence to support the allegations.
In 2022, Biden relaunched the Cancer Moonshot initiative, aiming to reduce cancer deaths by focusing on research and prevention. Biden’s personal connection to the cause is deepened by the loss of his son Beau Biden to brain cancer in 2015.
