Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, according to a statement released Sunday by his personal office, confirming growing health concerns that have trailed him for months.
The 82-year-old former president, who has largely kept a low profile since exiting the White House, was recently evaluated after experiencing worsening urinary symptoms. Medical investigations revealed a prostate nodule, and subsequent testing confirmed a diagnosis of prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 9, the most severe on the scale indicating a Grade Group 5 cancer that has already spread to his skeletal system.
Despite the grim diagnosis, Biden’s medical team emphasized that the cancer is hormone-sensitive, meaning it may respond well to treatment. “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” the statement read.
Currently at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden and his family are reportedly consulting with physicians to determine the most effective course of treatment. The exact facility where the former president is receiving care has not been publicly disclosed.
This latest development adds fuel to ongoing speculation about Biden’s health, particularly in the aftermath of his widely criticized debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024. Questions about his age and mental fitness intensified following reports from an upcoming book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, which claims aides had discussed the possibility of needing a wheelchair for Biden’s second term. The book also recounts an incident where Biden allegedly failed to recognize actor George Clooney at a high-profile fundraiser.
While a physical conducted in early 2024 at Walter Reed National Military Center had declared Biden “fit for duty,” critics argue that subtle signs of decline were dismissed or downplayed by his inner circle. The backlash reached a peak just weeks before Biden announced he would not seek re-election in 2024.
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Despite these concerns, Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, have both pushed back on claims of cognitive deterioration. Appearing earlier this month on ABC’s “The View,” Biden dismissed rumors of mental decline, stating, “There is nothing to sustain that.” Dr. Biden added that people criticizing the former president’s capacity never witnessed the dedication and long hours he put in behind the scenes.
Biden’s cancer diagnosis hits particularly close to home, given his long-standing crusade against the disease. After losing his son Beau Biden to brain cancer, the former president launched the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative to accelerate cancer research and improve care for patients. The program was revived during his presidency in 2022 with the ambitious goal of halving cancer-related deaths in the U.S. within 25 years.
Speaking at a 2023 event, Biden reaffirmed his commitment: “We’re mobilizing a national effort to cut American cancer deaths in half and boost support for patients and their families. I’m confident in our capacity to do that. I know we can, it’s not just personal, it’s about what’s possible.”
As Biden confronts this new health challenge, support and scrutiny alike are expected to grow. With his name still synonymous with cancer advocacy, the news of his diagnosis may spark renewed national attention toward prostate cancer awareness, research funding, and early detection.
