Former US President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, a statement from his office confirmed on Sunday.
The diagnosis was made on Friday after Biden reported increasing urinary symptoms, prompting further medical investigations that revealed a small nodule on his prostate. According to the statement, doctors classified the cancer as Grade Group 5, with a Gleason score of 9, indicating a high-grade and fast-spreading disease.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” the statement read.
The news comes nearly a year after Biden, the oldest serving US president in history, stepped down from the 2024 presidential race amid mounting concerns about his age and health, following a widely criticized debate performance.
Following the announcement, messages of support poured in from both political allies and former rivals.
President Donald Trump, who succeeded Biden after the 2024 election, posted on his social media platform, Truth Social:
“We are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family. We wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former Vice-President Kamala Harris, who succeeded Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate, shared a message on X (formerly Twitter):
“Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership.”
Former President Barack Obama, under whom Biden served as vice president, also issued a message of solidarity:
“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer added his voice from across the Atlantic:
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family. Wishing the president swift and successful treatment.”
President Biden has long been an advocate for cancer research, particularly following the loss of his son Beau Biden to brain cancer in 2015. In 2016, he spearheaded the Obama administration’s “Cancer Moonshot” initiative. The program was relaunched in 2022 during his presidency, with the goal of reducing cancer deaths by more than four million by 2047.
Despite his illness, experts say that patients with hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer often respond well to initial hormone therapy, which is likely to be part of Biden’s treatment plan.
“In general, if cancer has spread to the bones, we don’t think it is curable,” said Dr. William Dahut, Chief Scientific Officer at the American Cancer Society.
“However, people can live many years with the diagnosis if treatment is started early.”
Since leaving office in January, Biden has kept a low profile, making few public appearances.
His diagnosis now marks a significant personal health battle for the veteran statesman, whose public service career has spanned over five decades.
The Biden family is said to be currently reviewing treatment options.