Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis has sent shockwaves across the globe, with the former U.S. president facing a serious health battle. Announced on May 19, 2025, Biden’s cancer has metastasized to his bones, marking it as an aggressive form with a Gleason score of 9. Consequently, the 82-year-old, who left office in January 2025, is now reviewing treatment options with his family, including Dr. Jill Biden. Meanwhile, world leaders like Barack Obama and Donald Trump have expressed their support. Therefore, NovexaHub News dives into the details of Joe Biden’s prostate cancer, the implications of his diagnosis, and what lies ahead. Explore more in our News Category.
Joe Biden Prostate Cancer: The Diagnosis Explained
On May 16, 2025, Joe Biden reported increasing urinary symptoms, leading doctors to discover a small nodule on his prostate. For instance, further tests, including a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and imaging, confirmed Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis. According to the BBC, the cancer has spread to Biden’s bones, making it metastatic and Stage 4—incurable but manageable. Moreover, the Gleason score of 9 indicates a high-grade, aggressive cancer, as noted by the New York Times. As a result, Biden’s office stated that Joe Biden’s prostate cancer is hormone-sensitive, which offers hope for effective management through treatments like hormone therapy.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms and Detection
Prostate cancer often presents subtle symptoms, especially in its early stages. For example, Biden’s urinary symptoms—such as frequent urination—are a common sign, as the prostate presses against the urethra, according to CNN. Additionally, other symptoms include blood in urine or difficulty urinating, as highlighted by TODAY. However, in advanced cases like Joe Biden’s prostate cancer, where the cancer has metastasized, patients may experience bone pain or fatigue. Consequently, early screening with PSA tests is crucial for men over 50, as emphasized by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (via ABC News). Therefore, Biden’s diagnosis underscores the importance of regular checkups, especially for older men like the former president, who is 82.
Joe Biden Health: A History of Challenges
Joe Biden’s age and health have long been topics of debate. For instance, at 82, he left office as the oldest-serving U.S. president in history, with Donald Trump, 78, now holding that record, per CBS News. Moreover, Biden faced scrutiny over his mental acuity during his presidency, leading him to end his re-election campaign in 2024, as reported by Le Monde. Meanwhile, his personal connection to cancer is deep—his son Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015, and Biden led Obama’s “Cancer Moonshot” initiative in 2016 (BBC). As a result, Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis adds another layer to his long history with health challenges and cancer advocacy.
Prostate Cancer Prognosis and Treatment Options
Joe Biden’s prostate cancer prognosis is serious but not without hope. For example, while metastatic prostate cancer has a five-year survival rate of around 37%, according to CNN, advances in treatment have extended life expectancy. Dr. Judd Moul from Duke University told the New York Times that men with bone metastasis can live 5 to 10 years or more with current therapies. Moreover, since Biden’s cancer is hormone-sensitive, treatments like hormone therapy, radiation, or even prostate surgery are viable options, per Fox News. However, some experts, as noted on Yahoo, have raised concerns that Biden’s diagnosis might have been detected earlier, suggesting a possible delay in routine screenings during his presidency.
Reactions to Joe Biden Cancer Diagnosis
The global response to Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis has been swift and heartfelt. For instance, Barack Obama praised Biden’s resilience, saying, “Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer than Joe,” and wished him a full recovery (BBC). Similarly, Donald Trump and Melania Trump expressed their “warmest wishes” for Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, hoping for a “fast and successful recovery,” as shared via the White House. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris called Biden a “fighter,” reflecting on his strength (Independent). Additionally, world leaders like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian PM Mark Carney sent messages of support, per the Independent. However, posts on X reveal mixed sentiments, with some users questioning the timing of the diagnosis and speculating about its political implications.
What Happened to Joe Biden: A Personal Battle
Joe Biden’s prostate cancer battle is deeply personal, touching on his family’s history with the disease. For example, the loss of his son Beau Biden to cancer in 2015 has shaped Biden’s advocacy, as noted by Le Monde. In his first public statement on May 19, 2025, Biden shared a heartfelt message on X: “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places.” Alongside a photo with Dr. Jill Biden, he thanked the public for their support (The Guardian). Consequently, this diagnosis marks a new chapter for Biden, who has long defined himself by resilience, as highlighted by the BBC.
The Bigger Picture: Prostate Cancer Awareness
Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis brings renewed attention to the disease, the second most common cancer among men after skin cancer, per the Cleveland Clinic (via CBS News). For instance, the American Cancer Society estimates 313,780 new cases in the U.S. in 2025, with 35,770 deaths (NPR). Moreover, while the overall five-year survival rate for prostate cancer is 97%, it drops to 37% for metastatic cases like Biden’s, according to NPR. Therefore, Biden’s case highlights the need for awareness, early detection, and research—areas he championed during his “Cancer Moonshot” initiative under Obama.
What’s Next for Joe Biden and His Family
Joe Biden and his family, including Dr. Jill Biden, are now navigating treatment options with his medical team. For example, hormone therapy is likely, given Joe Biden’s prostate cancer’s hormone-sensitive nature, as noted by CBS News. Meanwhile, Biden’s prognosis depends on how well he responds to treatment, his overall health, and his age, per CNN. As a result, the coming months will be critical for the former president, who remains a symbol of perseverance. For more updates on Joe Biden’s health, visit NovexaHub’s News Category or check BBC for global coverage.
