United States: Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, according to a statement released by his office.
Biden, 82, was diagnosed after visiting a doctor for urinary symptoms. The cancer has been categorised as a high-grade, aggressive form of the disease, with a Gleason score of 9 out of 10. Despite the severity of the diagnosis, Biden’s team says the cancer is hormone-sensitive, meaning it could still be effectively controlled with treatment.
“Melania and I are saddened to hear about @JoeBiden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.” –President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/6HjermTGK7
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 18, 2025
While bone metastasis makes the cancer more difficult to treat, doctors say such cases can still be managed over time. Dr. William Dahut, Chief Scientific Officer at the American Cancer Society, conveyed that, although the disease in this form is not considered curable, many patients respond well to initial treatment and can live for years with the diagnosis.
Dr. Dahut remarked that, “Someone with the former president’s diagnosis will likely be offered hormonal therapies to mitigate symptoms and slow the growth of cancerous cells.” The announcement has drawn an outpouring of support from across the political spectrum.
US President Donald Trump wrote on his platform, Truth Social, that he and his wife, Melania, were saddened by the news. Trump stated that, “We wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Vice-President Kamala Harris, who succeeded Biden as the Democratic nominee in the 2024 presidential race, shared her support on X, writing that, “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.”
Former President Barack Obama also expressed support. Barack Obama commented that, “Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Obama had appointed Biden to lead the cancer moonshot initiative in 2016. The project was later revived by the Bidens in 2022 to prevent over four million cancer-related deaths by 2047.
Biden’s diagnosis comes nearly a year after he withdrew from the 2024 presidential race with growing concerns over his health and age. Following a widely criticised debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024, Biden stepped aside and endorsed Harris as his replacement.
Since leaving office, Biden has kept a relatively low profile, making only a few public appearances. In April, he gave a keynote speech at a disability advocacy conference in Chicago. He also made an appearance on The View, where he rejected suggestions that he had experienced cognitive decline in his final year in office.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the US, behind skin cancer. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 13 percent of men will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime. Age remains the most significant risk factor.
Biden has long been an advocate for cancer research. His son Beau died from brain cancer in 2015, a loss that deeply influenced his commitment to medical advancements in oncology.
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