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Former U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, according to a statement from his office on Sunday.
Biden, who stepped down from public office earlier this year, sought medical help after experiencing urinary issues. He was diagnosed last Friday following tests that revealed a concerning growth on his prostate.
Doctors have classified his condition as high-grade prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 9 out of 10, which means it’s a fast-growing and potentially serious form of the disease. However, his doctors noted that the cancer is hormone-sensitive, a characteristic that typically responds well to treatment.
Biden and his family are currently considering treatment options.
Following the news, leaders from across the political spectrum expressed their support. Former President Donald Trump and his wife Melania sent their best wishes for a quick recovery. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, also offered their prayers, calling Biden a “fighter.” Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama said they were keeping the Biden family in their thoughts and praised Biden’s long-standing commitment to cancer research.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also wished Biden a successful recovery.
The diagnosis comes less than a year after Biden ended his 2024 re-election campaign amid growing concerns about his age and health. He had been under scrutiny after a poor debate performance against current President Donald Trump. Kamala Harris eventually stepped in as the Democratic candidate.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, behind skin cancer. According to U.S. health officials, 13 out of every 100 men will be diagnosed with it during their lifetime. Older age is the main risk factor.
Experts say that once prostate cancer spreads to the bones, it’s considered incurable — but many patients respond well to early treatment and can live for years. Hormonal therapies are usually the first step in slowing the disease’s progress and easing symptoms.
Biden has kept a low profile since leaving office but has made a few public appearances. In April, he spoke at a disability rights conference in Chicago, and in May, he gave a BBC interview where he admitted stepping down from the presidential race was a tough call. He also appeared on The View, dismissing claims about his mental health.
Cancer research has long been a personal mission for Biden. In 2022, he and his wife, Jill, relaunched the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative, aimed at reducing cancer deaths significantly by 2047. Biden’s son, Beau, died from brain cancer in 2015, a loss that has deeply influenced the former president's focus on healthcare and research.
Source: BBC.com
