In a concerning development that has prompted an outpouring of bipartisan support, former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread beyond its initial site, according to an announcement from his personal office on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
The Diagnosis
The 82-year-old former president sought medical attention last week after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms, which led doctors to discover a prostate nodule. Following further examination, Biden received the cancer diagnosis on Friday, May 16th. Medical reports indicate his condition is characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.
The Gleason scoring system rates prostate cancer on a scale of 1-10, with higher numbers indicating more aggressive forms of the disease. Biden’s score of 9 places his cancer among the most aggressive types, presenting a serious health challenge for the former commander-in-chief.
Treatment Prospects
Despite the severity of the diagnosis, there is room for cautious optimism. According to the statement from Biden’s office, “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.” This hormone sensitivity potentially opens additional treatment avenues that might not be available for other types of cancer.
The former president and his family are currently reviewing treatment options with his medical team. Standard approaches for advanced prostate cancer often include hormone therapy, radiation, chemotherapy, or some combination of these treatments.
Political Context and Response
This health crisis comes at a particularly poignant time in Biden’s life. After serving a single term as president from 2021-2025, Biden made the difficult decision last summer to withdraw from his reelection campaign following a challenging debate performance that raised widespread concerns about his age and stamina.
The announcement has prompted an outpouring of support from across the political spectrum. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump expressed their sympathies on social media, wishing Biden “a fast and successful recovery.” Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic nominee after Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race, noted that “Joe is a fighter” who would face this challenge “with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership.”
Former President Barack Obama, who served with Biden as his vice president, highlighted Biden’s longstanding commitment to cancer research, stating, “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.”
Biden’s Cancer Advocacy
The diagnosis carries a particular poignancy given Biden’s passionate advocacy for cancer research. As vice president under Barack Obama, Biden spearheaded the Cancer Moonshot initiative after losing his son Beau to brain cancer in 2015. Upon becoming president, Biden reinvigorated this program in 2022, setting an ambitious goal of reducing cancer death rates by at least 50% over the next 25 years.
Medical Context
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men and one of the most common cancers they face, particularly as they age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while the majority of prostate cancers are detected before spreading beyond the prostate gland, approximately 8% of diagnoses involve advanced-stage disease.
When prostate cancer metastasizes, it frequently spreads to the bones, as in Biden’s case. While metastasized cancer presents significant treatment challenges, hormone-sensitive varieties like Biden’s can often be managed effectively with therapies that deprive the tumors of the hormones they need to grow.
The unfolding health situation serves as a reminder of the impact of cancer on countless American families and the ongoing importance of research, early detection, and treatment advances—causes to which Biden has dedicated significant portions of his public service career.
As the former president begins this difficult personal journey, Americans from across the political spectrum have united in wishing him strength, effective treatment, and a robust recovery in the challenging months ahead.
