Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with high-grade prostate cancer.
Joe Biden, the 82-year-old former US President, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has already spread to his bones. His office confirmed the news in a statement released Sunday, saying the diagnosis came after Biden visited a doctor last week due to urinary-related symptoms.
Doctors have classified the cancer as “high-grade” with a Gleason score of 9, meaning it is among the most serious forms of the disease and likely to grow fast. Despite this, the cancer is said to be hormone-sensitive, which gives hope for possible management through treatment.
Family Considering Next Steps
Biden’s team has said that he and his family are in discussions regarding the best treatment options available. Health specialists expect him to begin hormonal therapy, which helps slow down the growth of cancer cells and ease symptoms.
Although the condition is not considered curable once it spreads to the bones, medical experts like Dr. William Dahut from the American Cancer Society say many patients still live long and stable lives with treatment.
Outpouring of Support From Political Figures
Soon after the news broke, several high-profile figures expressed their support. Former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he and Melania were saddened by Biden’s diagnosis and wished him a full recovery.
On the other side, former Vice President Kamala Harris, who succeeded Biden in the 2024 race, also shared her prayers. “Joe is a fighter,” she wrote on X, adding that his strength and optimism would guide him through this challenge.
Health Concerns That Ended His 2024 Campaign
Biden had dropped out of the 2024 US presidential race nearly a year ago due to growing concerns about his health and age. He had struggled during a televised debate against then-Republican nominee Donald Trump, leading the Democratic Party to replace him with Kamala Harris.
That decision ended his hopes for re-election, and since then, Biden has mostly stayed away from public events.
Still Active in Advocacy Work
Though out of the spotlight, Biden hasn’t completely vanished. In April, he gave a keynote speech in Chicago at an event hosted by a disability advocacy group. He also sat down for a BBC interview in May, where he called stepping down from the race “a difficult choice.”
He also appeared on The View, where he denied rumors of cognitive decline, stating that there was “nothing to support” such claims.
A Lifelong Voice for Cancer Awareness
Biden has been deeply connected to cancer causes, especially after the loss of his son, Beau, to brain cancer in 2015. In 2022, he and First Lady Jill Biden relaunched the Cancer Moonshot initiative, aiming to prevent over four million cancer deaths by 2047.
This diagnosis now puts the former president in the same fight he has long supported through his advocacy.
