Former U.S. President Joe Biden (82) has been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer that has already spread to his bones. His office released an official statement on Sunday confirming the news. Biden underwent a medical evaluation last week after developing persistent urinary symptoms. The diagnosis was made on Friday.
High-Grade Cancer with Significant Risk
Doctors described the disease as particularly aggressive, assigning it a Gleason score of 9 out of 10 – an indicator of fast-growing and serious cancer. However, the cancer remains hormone-sensitive, which is a positive sign. This trait allows the use of hormone-based therapies to help slow tumor growth.
“This diagnosis is serious but treatable,” the statement reads. “The medical teams are confident that targeted therapy can provide a good quality of life.”
What Doctors Are Saying About the Diagnosis
A team of specialists identified a prostate nodule during Biden’s examination, prompting further testing. The cancer diagnosis was confirmed, along with metastases to the bone. Despite the advanced stage, experts see treatment options that could stabilize the disease if therapy begins promptly.
Dr. William Dahut, Chief Scientific Officer at the American Cancer Society, said bone metastasis usually indicates an incurable stage. However, many patients live for several years following such a diagnosis.
“Biden will very likely undergo hormone therapy,” Dahut stated. “This can slow progression and relieve symptoms.”
Political Support from the U.S. and Abroad
The announcement triggered an outpouring of support across the political spectrum:
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Donald Trump wrote on his platform that he and his wife Melania were “thinking of Joe Biden and his family.”
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Kamala Harris, Biden’s former Vice President, emphasized his “strength and determination.” She called him a fighter with a “deep sense of hope.”
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Barack Obama praised Biden’s long-standing advocacy for cancer research and wished him “courage and strength for this new challenge.”
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also sent his best wishes, expressing hope for a “swift and effective treatment.”
Diagnosis Follows Exit from 2024 Presidential Race
The cancer diagnosis comes just weeks after Biden stepped down from the 2024 presidential campaign. Concerns about his health and age had grown over recent months, especially after a poorly received debate performance against Donald Trump in June. The Democratic Party subsequently nominated Kamala Harris as its new candidate.
Prostate Cancer: The Most Common Cancer in Men
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the U.S., after skin cancer. Around 13 out of 100 men will develop it in their lifetime. Age is the most significant risk factor.
The Cleveland Clinic reports that symptoms often include frequent or painful urination, blood in the urine, and lower back pain—especially when the disease has progressed.
Biden Steps Back from Public Life – Advocacy Continues
Since leaving office, Joe Biden has largely withdrawn from public life. In April, he gave a speech in Chicago at an event for people with disabilities. In May, he gave an interview to the BBC – his first since stepping down.
He spoke candidly about the difficult decision to leave the presidential race. On the talk show “The View,” he dismissed claims of cognitive decline during his final year in office, calling such reports “baseless.”
Lifelong Commitment to Cancer Research
Biden’s battle against cancer is deeply personal. In 2015, his eldest son Beau Biden died of brain cancer. That loss led to the revival of the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative in 2022, with the goal of preventing over four million cancer-related deaths by 2047.
“Cancer research isn’t just politics – it’s a personal mission,” Biden once said.
A diagnosis of prostate cancer with bone metastases is undoubtedly serious. Yet the hormone-sensitive nature of Biden’s cancer offers hope for disease control and a decent quality of life. Biden remains not only a patient but also a prominent figure in the global fight against cancer. His example shows that hope and science can go hand in hand.