What Is Joe Biden's Health Condition? Prostate Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Current Status Explained
Former President Joe Biden, 82, was diagnosed with aggressive metastatic prostate cancer in May 2025, three months after leaving the White House. The cancer had already spread to his bones at the time of diagnosis. He completed a five-week course of radiation therapy at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia on October 20, 2025. He continues hormone treatment as part of his ongoing care plan.
You're searching for Joe Biden's health condition because news about his cancer treatment raises questions about his prognosis and current status. This article explains his diagnosis, the severity of his condition, the treatments he received, and what medical experts say about his future.
The Diagnosis: How Biden Discovered His Cancer
Biden experienced increasing urinary symptoms in early May 2025. He sought medical attention for these symptoms. Doctors found a small nodule on his prostate during examination. Further testing confirmed the diagnosis on Friday, May 16, 2025.
His personal office released a statement on May 18, 2025 announcing the diagnosis. The statement revealed prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone. The cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management according to his medical team.
The Gleason score measures how aggressive prostate cancer is. Scores range from 6 to 10. Higher scores indicate faster-growing cancers. Biden's score of 9 places him in the most aggressive risk category. Only a Gleason score of 10 is higher.
Dr. Benjamin Davies, a professor of urologic oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, described Biden's diagnosis as "the worst version you can get" when speaking to media outlets. The cancer had already metastasized to his bones before detection, indicating the disease had been present for some time.
Why Was Biden Not Screened Earlier
Men in their 80s are not typically screened for prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends men in their 50s and 60s get screened every two years. Screening recommendations do not extend to men Biden's age under current guidelines.
Multiple oncologists told NBC News the nature of Biden's cancer suggests the disease went undiagnosed for years. About 8% of prostate cancer cases have already metastasized when first diagnosed. These patients have most likely had the disease for several years, though some people develop rapidly spreading cancer in rare cases.
Dr. Geoffrey Sonn, a Stanford University urologist, explained to The Hill there are not many advocates for continuing aggressive PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screening for men in their 80s. Biden's reported tests did not include a PSA test, which aligns with current medical guidelines.
Treatment Timeline and Current Status
Biden began hormone therapy immediately after his diagnosis in May 2025. This treatment involves medications to suppress testosterone levels in the body. The cancer stops growing as fast and in some cases melts away from the bones when testosterone is suppressed.
Key dates in Biden's treatment journey:
- May 16, 2025: Diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, Gleason score 9
- May 18, 2025: Public announcement of diagnosis
- September 2025: Underwent Mohs surgery to remove skin cancer lesions from forehead
- October 11, 2025: Announced start of radiation therapy treatment
- October 20, 2025: Completed five-week radiation therapy course at Penn Medicine
On October 20, 2025, Biden "rang the bell" at Penn Medicine, signaling completion of his radiation treatment phase. His daughter Ashley Biden posted a video clip on Instagram showing her father ringing the ceremonial bell. She thanked the doctors, nurses, and staff at Penn Medicine.
Biden spokeswoman Kelly Scully confirmed to CBS News the former president finished several weeks of radiation therapy treatment. The completion of radiation does not signal the end of his treatment. He continues hormone therapy as part of his ongoing care plan. Further treatment is expected.
What Medical Experts Say About His Prognosis
Metastatic prostate cancer is not curable, but it is highly treatable. Dr. Geoffrey Sonn told Politico people live for years on hormonal therapy medicines. A wave of newly approved drugs in the last decade have extended survival significantly.
Dr. Sonn emphasized this is very different from metastatic pancreatic cancer, where most patients survive only a few months. Prostate cancer progresses much more slowly even when metastatic.
Survival rates for metastatic prostate cancer have improved dramatically:
- 20+ years ago: Survival was 2.5 to 5 years after diagnosis
- Current survival rates: 5 to 10 years or more with modern treatments
- Five-year survival rate for distant-stage prostate cancer: 38% according to American Cancer Society
Dr. Eric Wallen, chair of the Urology Department at the Medical University of South Carolina, told MUSC Hollings Cancer Center newer therapies directed at metastatic disease have significantly extended life expectancy. Biden has access to several treatment options including hormonal treatments, radiation, chemotherapy, and combinations of these approaches.
Biden's Public Response to His Diagnosis
Biden addressed the public for the first time on May 19, 2025, one day after the announcement. He posted on X (formerly Twitter) with a message thanking people for their support.
"Cancer touches us all," Biden wrote. "Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support." He included a selfie of himself with First Lady Jill Biden and their cat.
Former President Barack Obama responded with support on X. "Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family," Obama posted. "Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery."
Political Context and Health Scrutiny
Biden left the White House on January 20, 2025 after losing to Donald Trump. He had dropped out of the 2024 presidential race in July 2024 following a disastrous debate performance against Trump. Concerns about his age, health, and mental fitness prompted his withdrawal from the race.
Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who went on to lose to Trump in the November 2024 election. Biden was the oldest president in U.S. history when he took office at age 78 in January 2021. He turned 82 in November 2024.
First Lady Jill Biden defended her husband's cognitive abilities during an appearance on "The View" on May 8, 2025, shortly before his cancer diagnosis became public. She stated people who wrote critical books about Biden's mental state were not in the White House and did not see how hard he worked every day.
Trump continued to criticize Biden even after his cancer diagnosis became public. Trump claimed Biden suffered from cognitive decline throughout his presidency. Trump put feelings aside to express well-wishes for Biden after the cancer announcement, a rare moment of bipartisan civility.
Prostate Cancer Statistics and Public Health Impact
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States after skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 313,780 new cases of prostate cancer in 2025 and about 35,770 deaths.
Key facts about prostate cancer:
- About one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer over their lifetime
- Second leading cause of cancer death in men despite being highly survivable when caught early
- Prostate cancer death rate decreased by about half from 1993 to 2022
- Decline has slowed in recent years, likely reflecting a rise in cancers found at later stages
- Age is the most common risk factor for developing prostate cancer
The American Cancer Society said Biden's diagnosis serves as "a reminder about the tragic impact of prostate cancer in the US." The organization advocates for men aged 50 and over, Black men and those with family history aged 45 and over, to have conversations with healthcare providers about screening benefits and harms.
Cancer Research Funding Concerns
A report released by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee found the White House cut cancer research by 31% in the first three months of 2025 compared to the same timeframe in 2024. This occurred under the Trump administration after Biden left office.
Dr. Ben Davies told NPR "We will only make headway into prostate cancer care with careful and robust funding of our science institutions, which I'm really hoping will continue." Reduced funding for cancer research threatens progress in developing new treatments for diseases like the one Biden faces.
What Happens Next for Biden
Biden continues hormone therapy indefinitely as part of his treatment plan. His medical team will monitor his condition through regular testing and imaging to assess how the cancer responds to treatment.
He remains at his home in Wilmington, Delaware with Jill Biden. His family is actively involved in his care and treatment decisions. His daughter Ashley and other family members have shown public support throughout his treatment journey.
The completion of radiation therapy represents progress, but metastatic prostate cancer requires ongoing management. Biden will likely need continued hormonal treatments and monitoring for the rest of his life. Additional treatments may be introduced if the cancer progresses or becomes resistant to current therapies.
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