Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. The 82-year-old’s office released the statement on Sunday. The cancer has already spread to his bones, making it a serious health concern.
Biden was diagnosed on Friday after visiting a doctor last week. He had gone in due to urinary symptoms.
Doctors confirmed the cancer is aggressive. It carries a Gleason score of 9 out of 10. This rating shows the cancer is “high-grade” and may spread quickly. Experts say such cases need immediate and intensive care.
Despite the severity, Biden’s team shared a hopeful detail. The cancer is hormone-sensitive. That means doctors can likely manage it with current treatment options.
Biden and his family are now exploring those options.
Support From Across Political Lines
News of Biden’s illness sparked swift responses from across the political spectrum.
Former President Donald Trump shared a statement on Truth Social. He said he and First Lady Melania Trump are saddened by the news. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family,” Trump wrote. “We wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Democratic Representative Ro Khanna also reacted. He posted on X that he is praying for Biden and his family. “He and Jill have always been fighters,” Khanna wrote. “I am confident they will meet this challenge with grit and grace.”
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Biden Stepped Back from Public Life
Biden has stayed mostly out of the spotlight since leaving office. He withdrew from the 2024 presidential race nearly a year ago. Concerns about his age and health played a major role in that decision.
He had been the Democratic nominee at the time. But after a poor debate performance against Trump in June, pressure grew for him to step down. Kamala Harris later replaced him as the Democratic candidate.
Biden made a rare public appearance in April. He gave a speech in Chicago at an event for disability advocates. In May, he sat down for a BBC interview. He called his decision to exit the 2024 race “difficult.”
He also appeared on The View that same month. There, he denied claims of cognitive decline. “There is nothing to sustain that,” he said firmly.
Longtime Advocate for Cancer Research
Biden has personal ties to the fight against cancer. He lost his son, Beau, to brain cancer in 2015. In 2022, he and Jill Biden relaunched the Cancer Moonshot initiative. The goal is to reduce cancer deaths by four million by 2047.
Prostate cancer remains a leading threat to men’s health. The CDC reports that 13 in 100 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with it during their lives. Age remains the most common risk factor.
As Biden faces this difficult chapter, public support continues to grow. Many are hopeful he will face this challenge with the same strength he has shown in the past.
