The Cancer Has Metastasized to the Bone, According to the Former President’s Personal Office
Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive and advanced form of prostate cancer that has already spread to his bones, his personal office confirmed Sunday.
“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms,” the statement read. “On Friday he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.”
The statement noted that while the cancer is aggressive, it appears to be hormone-sensitive — a key factor that allows for more manageable treatment options. Biden and his family are currently in discussions with his medical team about possible treatments, including hormone therapy, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Discovery Came After Routine Health Screening
The cancer was detected during a recent routine physical, where doctors initially found a “small nodule” that required further testing. A spokesperson for the former president said there are no further updates beyond the official statement at this time.
Prostate cancer is among the most common forms of cancer in men, especially older men. According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among American men, behind lung cancer.
Diagnosis Fuels Ongoing Democratic Party Debate
Biden’s diagnosis comes at a politically turbulent moment for the Democratic Party. Some lawmakers and strategists have openly questioned whether his decision to seek a second term contributed to Donald Trump’s 2024 win. Biden, 82, eventually withdrew from the race, leaving behind lingering divides in the party.
At the time of his presidency, Biden was the oldest person to ever hold the office. Trump, 78, was the oldest president at the time of his inauguration. The diagnosis now adds a serious personal health battle to Biden’s already complex post-presidency legacy.
As Biden and his family consider treatment paths, the news is likely to stir continued conversations around age, leadership, and the party’s direction moving forward.
