Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable form of prostate cancer that has already spread to his bones, his office confirmed over the weekend. The news sent shockwaves through the American public and political world, raising questions about Biden’s health, legacy, and ongoing role in public life.
The diagnosis came after Biden, 82, underwent medical testing due to worsening urinary symptoms. Doctors identified a prostate tumor with a Gleason score of 9 — the most aggressive form of the disease. The cancer has metastasized to his bones, making it incurable, though experts stress that treatment can significantly extend life expectancy and maintain quality of life.
“Prostate cancer is very common,” explained Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urologist and surgeon at Orlando Health, speaking to CNN. “As we age, most men will develop cancerous cells in the prostate. However, a Gleason 9 indicates the most aggressive and fast-growing variant,” added Dr. Benjamin Davis, professor of urologic oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, Biden’s doctors say his cancer is hormone-sensitive, making it more treatable with modern therapies. The former president and his family are currently consulting with medical professionals to determine the best course of action. Options reportedly include advanced hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and other targeted treatments.
Biden spent the weekend at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, avoiding the public spotlight. CNN reports that it is still unclear where his treatment will be administered.
This latest health crisis comes amid ongoing scrutiny about Biden’s age and cognitive condition. Throughout his presidency — the oldest in U.S. history — questions surrounding his stamina and mental sharpness never faded. Concerns were amplified after a weak debate performance against Donald Trump in 2024, which ultimately led Biden to step aside from seeking re-election.
New revelations from a forthcoming book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’s Alex Thompson claim that Biden’s aides had privately discussed whether he might require a wheelchair in a second term and that he failed to recognize actor George Clooney during a charity event in June 2024. While Biden has dismissed these claims, the reports have added fuel to an already sensitive public narrative.
In his last public appearance, Biden and his wife Jill joined the panel of ABC’s The View, where they refuted claims of cognitive decline. “They’re wrong. There’s no evidence of that,” Biden said firmly. Jill Biden added, “The people writing these books weren’t in the White House. They didn’t see how hard Joe worked—every single day.”
Cancer is a deeply personal issue for the Bidens. Joe’s eldest son, Beau Biden, a veteran and former Delaware Attorney General, died of brain cancer at the age of 46 in 2015. That loss propelled then-Vice President Biden to lead President Obama’s 2016 “Cancer Moonshot” initiative. As president in 2022, Biden revived the project with a bold goal: to cut cancer deaths in half within 25 years, pledging $150 million to research.
Now, the disease he has spent years fighting has returned to haunt him in the most personal way.
Despite the gravity of his condition, Biden has received a wave of bipartisan support. Former President Barack Obama shared on X, “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family. No one has done more to advance the fight against cancer than Joe. I’m confident he’ll face this challenge with dignity and resolve.”
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton echoed the sentiment: “Our thoughts are with the Biden family as they enter a new battle with cancer—a cause they’ve championed so deeply for others.”
Donald Trump, who continued to criticize Biden even after the 2024 election, surprised many with a message of sympathy: “Melania and I are saddened by the news of Joe Biden’s diagnosis. We send our warmest wishes to Jill and the entire family and hope for a successful recovery.”
Although the cancer is incurable, experts remain hopeful about the effectiveness of current treatments. As Dr. Brahmbhatt noted, “With the right combination of therapies, patients can live meaningful lives for years.”
For Joe Biden, it’s another test of will—one he faces not from a podium, but from the deepest trenches of human vulnerability. And once again, the nation watches, hopeful that he defies the odds one more time.