- Monday, May 19, 2025
Former US President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with advanced-stage prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. His condition is serious but hormone-sensitive, offering hope for effective treatment and management.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, his office confirmed on Sunday (18). The 82-year-old, who stepped down from the 2024 presidential race due to growing health concerns, was evaluated last week after experiencing urinary symptoms and received his diagnosis on Friday.
Biden’s condition is classified as “high-grade,” with a Gleason score of 9 out of 10, indicating a particularly aggressive cancer. Despite its severity, doctors noted that the cancer is hormone-sensitive—a key factor in allowing for potential long-term management.
“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms,” the official statement read. “On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.”
Medical experts have weighed in on the diagnosis. Dr. William Dahut, Chief Scientific Officer at the American Cancer Society, stated that bone metastasis typically signifies an incurable cancer. However, he noted that many patients respond well to initial treatment and can live for many years. Hormonal therapies are likely to be used to control the disease’s progression and alleviate symptoms.
Support for Biden poured in across party lines following the announcement. President Donald Trump expressed sympathy on his platform Truth Social, stating that he and former First Lady Melania Trump were “saddened” by the diagnosis and sent their best wishes to Biden and his family.
Vice-President Kamala Harris, who succeeded Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee in 2024, offered support via X (formerly Twitter), calling Biden “a fighter” and praising his resilience. Barack Obama also voiced his encouragement, noting Biden’s unwavering dedication to cancer research, especially through the 2016 “cancer moonshot” initiative.
“Joe has done more than anyone to fight for breakthrough cancer treatments. Michelle and I are praying for a fast and full recovery,” Obama posted.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also extended his good wishes, highlighting the international concern and respect Biden continues to command even after leaving office.
Biden’s recent health disclosure follows nearly a year of speculation surrounding his physical and cognitive condition. In June 2024, he faced harsh criticism after a lackluster performance in a debate with Donald Trump. Mounting pressure led him to withdraw from the race, paving the way for Kamala Harris to represent the Democratic Party.
Despite stepping back from public life, Biden continued to advocate for causes close to his heart, particularly cancer research. In 2022, he and First Lady Jill Biden revived the cancer moonshot program with the goal of preventing more than four million cancer deaths by 2047. The initiative remains deeply personal to Biden, whose eldest son, Beau Biden, died from brain cancer in 2015.
In recent appearances, Biden refuted allegations of cognitive decline. “There is nothing to sustain that,” he stated in a May 2025 interview with The View. That same month, he sat down with the BBC for his first post-presidency interview, where he acknowledged the difficulty of stepping aside from the election race.
As Biden and his family now consider treatment options, his diagnosis adds another chapter to his long and public life of perseverance, leadership, and personal trials. With the cancer being hormone-sensitive, his doctors remain hopeful about managing the condition and preserving his quality of life in the years to come.
