Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive type of prostate cancer that has already spread to his bones, according to an official statement released on Sunday.
Cancer Discovered After Symptoms Appeared
The diagnosis was made on Friday after Biden, 82, reported troubling urinary symptoms. His family is now consulting with medical specialists to evaluate treatment options.
While the disease is aggressive, the good news is that it’s hormone-sensitive, which means it can still be managed effectively with the right therapies.
Stage 4 Diagnosis: A Serious Development
Because the cancer has metastasized—meaning it has spread beyond the prostate—it’s classified as Stage 4 cancer. This is the most advanced stage in cancer diagnosis.
Most cases of prostate cancer are caught much earlier. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70% of the 236,659 prostate cancer cases reported in 2021 were detected before the disease spread outside the prostate. Only around 8% were diagnosed at an advanced stage. 
Public Reaction and Trump’s Statement
Biden’s physical health and mental sharpness have long been the subject of public scrutiny, especially during his presidency from 2021 to 2025. His campaign for re-election came to a sudden halt last July. The decision followed a faltering debate performance against Republican opponent Donald Trump, which stirred panic among Democrats.
Despite his previous criticisms, Trump posted a message of support on his platform, Truth Social, on Sunday.
“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis,” he wrote, referring to Melania Trump. “We send our warmest wishes to Jill and the family, and we hope for a swift and full recovery for Joe.”
High Gleason Score Indicates Serious Risk
Doctors revealed that Biden’s cancer scored a 9 out of 10 on the Gleason grading system, which is used to measure how aggressive prostate cancer is.
Dr. Herbert Lepor, a urologist at NYU Langone Health, described this score as “very high risk.” However, he emphasized that many men live for five to ten years or more, even with cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Dr. Chris George, medical director of the cancer program at the Northwestern Health Network, added that while prostate cancer is no longer curable once it reaches the bones, treatments exist that can control it and improve quality of life.
Historic Presidential Age Records
Biden made history in 2020 as the oldest individual ever elected President of the United States. However, Trump broke that record last year when he defeated Kamala Harris, the former Vice President, at the age of 78.
Democrats Reflect on 2024 Election Mistakes
Recently, several Democrats have expressed regret about putting Biden forward as the nominee for 2024. Many voters were concerned about his age, even before the debate mishap last summer.
Polls from Reuters/Ipsos showed that most Americans, including many Democrats, believed he was too old to serve a second term.
“It was a mistake for Democrats to not listen to the voters earlier,” Senator Chris Murphy said during a Sunday interview with NBC’s Meet the Press—just hours before Biden’s diagnosis became public.
Life After the Presidency
Since leaving office, Biden has kept a relatively low profile. He’s only made a few public appearances. One notable event was in April when he delivered a speech defending the Social Security Administration against proposed budget cuts from Trump.
In interviews, Biden has continued to defend his legacy. He has also pushed back against claims made in two recent books suggesting that he experienced cognitive decline during his final year in office.
“They are wrong,” he said earlier this month on ABC’s The View, directly addressing the book authors’ conclusions.
Bipartisan Support Pours In
Following the announcement, members of both parties issued statements offering their support and encouragement.
“Joe is a fighter,” said Vice President Harris. “And I know he will take on this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership.”
Biden’s Personal History with Cancer
Biden’s relationship with cancer is deeply personal. His son, Beau Biden, died of brain cancer in 2015.
In 2022, Biden reintroduced the Cancer Moonshot initiative—originally launched during the Obama administration—with an ambitious goal of cutting the cancer death rate by at least 50% over the next 25 years.
