In a deeply personal and poignant turn, former U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive, late-stage prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones — a revelation that’s rippling through both political circles and the wider world.
The news, confirmed Sunday by his office, follows Biden’s recent medical consultation after experiencing persistent urinary symptoms.
Tests revealed a Gleason score of 9, marking his condition as one of the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Yet there is a glimmer of hope: the cancer is hormone-sensitive, meaning that with the right treatment, it can be managed — though not cured.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” his office stated.
The announcement triggered an immediate wave of empathy and well-wishes — not just from Democrats, but from across the political divide.
Donald Trump, Biden’s former political rival, set politics aside to offer kind words via Truth Social. “Melania and I are saddened by Joe Biden’s recent diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the entire family for a swift and successful recovery.”
Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden’s successor in the 2024 race, called him a “fighter” and said he would “face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his leadership.”
Barack Obama, Biden’s former boss and longtime friend, said:
“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer than Joe. We’re praying for a fast and full recovery.”
In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed the sentiment, calling Biden’s diagnosis “deeply saddening” and offering warm wishes to the Biden family.
This is not Biden’s first battle with cancer — it is, in many ways, a continuation of a mission that has defined his public life.
In 2015, he lost his beloved son Beau Biden to brain cancer. That tragedy spurred his commitment to finding a cure, leading to the launch of the Obama-era “Cancer Moonshot” initiative. Biden and First Lady Jill Biden reignited that mission in 2022, with a bold goal to prevent over 4 million cancer deaths by 2047.
Biden’s diagnosis comes just months after he stepped down from the 2024 presidential race, amid rising concerns about his health and age. His exit followed a rocky debate performance and mounting calls for a younger Democratic contender — leading to Kamala Harris taking the mantle.
