Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, his spokesperson confirmed Sunday. According to a statement from his personal office, the cancer was discovered after Biden reported increasing urinary symptoms, leading to further medical evaluation.
Doctors identified a prostate nodule, and subsequent tests revealed a diagnosis of prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5)—a classification that indicates a high-grade, aggressive tumor. In addition, the cancer has metastasized to the bone, suggesting it has spread beyond the prostate. However, the cancer is reportedly hormone-sensitive, which allows for a range of treatment options that may help manage the disease effectively.
Understanding the Diagnosis
A Gleason score of 9 is at the high end of the scale and is associated with faster-growing, more aggressive cancer cells. When prostate cancer reaches this stage and has spread to other parts of the body, it is considered advanced metastatic prostate cancer. The fact that it remains hormone-sensitive means that androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)—which reduces levels of male hormones that can fuel prostate cancer—may still be effective in slowing its progression.
This diagnosis represents a serious health challenge, particularly for someone Biden’s age. However, modern medicine has made significant strides in managing even advanced cases of prostate cancer, and hormone-sensitive varieties are typically more responsive to first-line therapies.
Timing and Public Response
The diagnosis comes at a politically sensitive moment. Since leaving office earlier this year, Biden has made several public appearances, including high-profile interviews with the BBC and The View. These appearances seemed to signal a renewed presence in the public sphere, prompting speculation about his future plans—whether political or philanthropic.
His return to the spotlight has also reignited debates about his mental acuity during his final months in office. Some recent books claim there was a visible decline in his cognitive function, allegations Biden and his family have strongly denied. On The View, Biden pushed back on those claims, calling them “wrong,” while former First Lady Jill Biden criticized the authors for not having firsthand knowledge of the administration’s inner workings.
Ahead of the cancer announcement, political allies like Rep. Jim Clyburn defended Biden's performance in his final months as president. “I saw Biden often,” Clyburn told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “I talked to him on the telephone very often, and I never saw anything that I thought was outside of the ordinary.”
What Happens Next
The announcement has sparked an outpouring of public concern and well-wishes from across the political spectrum. While it is unclear what specific treatment path Biden will pursue, his office has indicated that he and his family are currently reviewing their options in consultation with his medical team.
Potential treatments could include:
Hormone therapy (ADT)
Chemotherapy
Bone-targeted therapies
Advanced targeted drugs or clinical trials, depending on the cancer’s genetic profile
It’s also likely that Biden will limit his public appearances in the coming weeks or months as he begins treatment. At the same time, his openness about the diagnosis may offer a platform to raise awareness about men’s health and prostate cancer, which is one of the most common cancers among older men but often goes undetected until it has advanced.
A Moment of Reflection
Regardless of politics, this is a moment that calls for empathy. A diagnosis of advanced cancer is profoundly difficult—for the patient and their loved ones. Joe Biden has lived much of his life in the public eye, and this next chapter will likely be no different. The transparency from his team is commendable, and it may help others who are navigating similar health challenges.
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