Washington, D.C. — Former U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer, his office confirmed in a public statement Friday. The diagnosis comes after Biden sought medical attention for urinary difficulties — symptoms that ultimately led to a series of tests revealing a cancerous growth on his prostate, which has since spread to his bones.
The latest health update represents a serious development for the former president, who had already faced mounting scrutiny over his health in recent years. According to his medical team, the cancer carries a Gleason score of 9, which is among the highest possible on the scale used to assess the aggressiveness of prostate tumors.
“This is not a localized case,” a spokesperson from Biden’s office said. “Further imaging has confirmed that the cancer has metastasized to several areas of his skeleton. It’s an advanced diagnosis, but doctors are encouraged by the cancer’s responsiveness to hormone-based treatment.”
Hormone Therapy as Primary Treatment Path
Despite the grim diagnosis, Biden’s medical team emphasized that the cancer is hormone-sensitive, meaning treatment options such as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can be utilized to control the disease’s progression.
“Prostate cancer that has spread to the bones presents a more complicated challenge,” said Dr. Michael Tan, a leading oncologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital. “However, the fact that it is hormone-sensitive opens the door to drug therapies that can delay progression and improve quality of life. While it’s not curable in this stage, it’s manageable.”
Doctors have reportedly ruled out surgery and radiation due to the cancer’s widespread nature. Instead, Biden will begin a regimen of hormone therapy drugs that aim to suppress testosterone, the hormone that fuels prostate cancer cell growth.
A History of Health Concerns
Biden’s health has been a point of debate and public concern for years — especially during his presidency. Though he had maintained a demanding schedule well into his 80s, critics often pointed to his age and occasional verbal missteps as indicators of declining vitality.
Medical records released during his time in office showed that he had previously dealt with skin cancer and underwent surgery in 2021 to remove a precancerous colon polyp. At the time, White House physicians described him as “fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency.”
But this new diagnosis marks his most significant medical battle to date.
“President Biden has shown resilience throughout his career and life, including the personal loss of his son Beau to cancer. He is approaching this diagnosis with the same determination,” said a family statement.
Personal Battle, Public Legacy
The diagnosis comes at a deeply personal intersection for Biden, who has long made cancer research and treatment a central part of his political mission. Following the tragic death of his son, Beau Biden, from brain cancer in 2015, the former president spearheaded the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, a federal project aimed at accelerating cancer breakthroughs.
In launching the initiative, Biden had pledged to “end cancer as we know it,” positioning the fight against the disease as a unifying national priority. The effort has led to increased funding, improved collaboration between research institutions, and advancements in early detection and precision medicine.
Ironically, Biden now finds himself in the position of many Americans whom the initiative was designed to help.
“It’s cruelly poetic,” said Dr. Jennifer Lane, a cancer researcher who worked on the Moonshot program. “This is a man who turned his personal grief into a mission to save others. Now he’s the one facing the very disease he vowed to defeat.”
Political Fallout and Public Reaction
Though Biden left office after a single term, his name still resonates in American and global politics. News of his diagnosis prompted an outpouring of support across party lines and international borders.
Vice President Kamala Harris, his former running mate, issued a statement calling Biden “a fighter” and “a relentless advocate for cancer patients everywhere.”
Former President Barack Obama also shared a personal message on social media: “Joe has faced unthinkable losses and challenges. I have no doubt he’ll meet this one with courage and grace.”
Meanwhile, cancer advocacy groups and survivors have rallied behind Biden, sharing their stories online and drawing inspiration from his long-standing commitment to the cause.
“Former President Biden has always stood with us — now it’s our turn to stand with him,” tweeted Stand Up To Cancer, a leading advocacy organization.
A Difficult Road Ahead
Medical experts caution that while hormone therapy can extend life and improve outcomes, the road ahead will not be easy. Advanced prostate cancer that has metastasized to the bones can lead to pain, fatigue, and other complications.
“Living with bone metastases requires careful symptom management and mental resilience,” said Dr. Tan. “But with the right support system and consistent treatment, many patients live several years with reasonable quality of life.”
Biden, now retired from political office, is expected to remain at his Delaware residence as he begins treatment. His team said he would refrain from public appearances for the time being but may release updates through his office as his treatment progresses.
Conclusion: A Leader in the Fight Now Becomes the Patient
Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis is not only a personal battle but a poignant chapter in the life of a leader who made fighting cancer a national mission. As he begins a new battle — this time with his own health — the world watches with a mix of concern, admiration, and hope.
For many, Biden’s story is now even more symbolic: a reminder that cancer does not discriminate and that even those who fight for others must sometimes face the same fight themselves.
