Biden, who stepped down from office in January, visited a doctor last week after dealing with ongoing urinary symptoms. Tests confirmed the cancer on Friday. Doctors say the illness is severe but still treatable with hormone-based therapies. The cancer has received a Gleason score of 9, meaning it is one of the most aggressive types.
Diagnosis Confirms High-Grade Cancer with Bone Spread
Biden’s medical team found a nodule on his prostate during a recent exam. Follow-up tests revealed the cancer had reached his bones. His office confirmed it falls under Grade Group 5, which represents the most serious cases.
Doctors said the cancer is still responsive to hormone therapy, a key treatment that can slow or control growth. While not curable once it reaches the bones, doctors believe early action could still help manage the disease for years.
“Bone metastasis makes prostate cancer more dangerous,” said Dr. William Dahut, Chief Scientific Officer at the American Cancer Society. “But hormone therapy can ease symptoms and sometimes extend life for many patients.”
Political Figures Express Support from Across the Aisle
After the diagnosis was made public, leaders from both Democratic and Republican parties offered kind words.
Former President Donald Trump released a short statement wishing Biden and his family well. He said he and his wife Melania were saddened by the news and hoped for a quick recovery.
Vice President Kamala Harris also shared her support, posting on X that she and her husband Doug Emhoff were praying for the Bidens. She praised Biden’s courage and strong spirit.
Former President Barack Obama, under whom Biden served as Vice President for eight years, expressed his thoughts alongside wife Michelle. He called Biden “a tireless fighter,” referencing his long-term dedication to cancer research.
Diagnosis Follows Retirement from 2024 Race
Biden’s cancer diagnosis comes nearly a year after he left the 2024 presidential race. At the time, concerns about his health and age had been growing, especially after a difficult debate performance against Trump in June.
He later stepped aside, and Kamala Harris took over as the Democratic Party’s nominee.
Since leaving office, Biden has kept a low profile. In April, he gave a speech at a disability rights event in Chicago. In May, he gave a rare interview where he spoke about his decision to retire from politics. He also denied any claims of cognitive decline.
Prostate Cancer Is One of the Most Common Cancers in Men
Prostate cancer affects millions of men worldwide. In the United States, it is the second most common cancer in men after skin cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 13 out of every 100 men will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives. Age is the biggest risk factor.
Dr. Dahut said that although cancer that spreads to the bones is serious, treatments are improving. Hormone therapy, often the first step in treating this kind of cancer, can reduce symptoms and improve life expectancy.
Biden’s Advocacy for Cancer Research Continues
Joe Biden has long been an advocate for cancer research. In 2022, he and First Lady Jill Biden revived the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, which aims to cut cancer deaths by 50% over the next 25 years.
His personal fight against cancer goes back years. In 2015, Biden lost his son Beau to brain cancer, a tragedy that shaped his commitment to finding a cure.
Even though he is no longer in public office, Biden continues to speak out about the need for better cancer care and more research funding.
Doctors are now working with Biden and his family to choose the best treatment. Hormone therapy is expected to be the first option. This may involve medication or surgery to block or lower the levels of male hormones that help cancer grow.
For now, Biden is expected to stay out of the public spotlight, focusing on his health and spending time with family.