Joe Biden, the 82-year-old former President of the United States, has been diagnosed with an advanced and fast-moving form of prostate cancer.
Doctors discovered that the disease has already reached his bones. The diagnosis was made after Biden recently began experiencing more severe urinary symptoms, prompting further medical checks.
The cancer was identified following the discovery of a new growth on his prostate during an examination last week. Further testing confirmed that the illness is a high-grade type of prostate cancer, one of the most serious forms doctors can find. Though the situation is serious, his medical team shared that the cancer still responds to hormone treatment, which gives them more options for managing it.
Biden is currently spending time at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. He and his family are working closely with his doctors to explore treatment plans. Options could include hormone therapy, radiation, or a combination of other advanced medical approaches. While his next steps have not yet been made public, he is expected to begin treatment soon.
This new health challenge comes not long after questions were raised about his health and ability to serve during the 2024 presidential race. In his final year in office, Biden faced increasing concerns about his physical and mental stamina, especially after a difficult debate performance against Donald Trump. A recently published book claims that close aides were worried long before the public saw signs, but those around him kept concerns private.
Biden has mostly stayed out of the spotlight since leaving office, but he recently appeared on television with his wife Jill Biden. During the appearance, he pushed back against claims that he had been in mental decline, stating that he remained sharp and active throughout his presidency. Jill Biden defended him as well, describing his long workdays and commitment behind the scenes.
While Donald Trump has often criticized Biden, he put politics aside to express sympathy after hearing the news. In a statement, he and former First Lady Melania Trump said they were saddened by the diagnosis and wished the Bidens strength during this time.
Doctors who are not involved in Biden’s care say that prostate cancer is very common in older men. However, the type Biden has is considered very aggressive and requires urgent and focused treatment. His Gleason score, which measures how fast prostate cancer is likely to grow and spread, was reported as one of the highest possible.
Biden’s team has not released further details about where he will be treated or what course of care will be pursued. For now, he remains surrounded by family as they prepare for what could be a long and difficult fight ahead.