Joe Biden Undergoing Radiation and Hormone Therapy for Aggressive Prostate Cancer Diagnosed Earlier This Year

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Former U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a public event in Washington, D.C., in early 2024. The 82-year-old leader is now undergoing radiation and hormone therapy after being diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.

Joe Biden Undergoes Treatment for Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Washington, D.C.: Former U.S. President Joe Biden is currently receiving radiation and hormone therapy after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer earlier this year. His spokesperson confirmed on Saturday that the 82-year-old leader began treatment following his May diagnosis, when tests revealed that the cancer had spread to his bones.

“As part of a treatment plan for prostate cancer, President Biden is currently undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment,” his spokesperson said in a public statement.

The diagnosis came after Biden began experiencing urinary difficulties, leading doctors to discover a prostate nodule that prompted further investigation. Subsequent tests confirmed that the cancer was both advanced and aggressive.


Biden Thanks Supporters for “Lifting Us Up”

When the diagnosis was first made public in May, Biden released an emotional message on X (formerly Twitter), drawing strength from his personal experience with cancer in his family.

“Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places,” he wrote, referencing his late son, Beau Biden, who died of brain cancer in 2015.
“Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”

The former president’s heartfelt words resonated deeply with Americans, many of whom offered prayers and encouragement.


Health Concerns Shadowed Biden’s Political Exit

Biden’s health had already become a subject of national discussion before his diagnosis. Earlier this year, a controversial book shed light on his declining stamina and cognitive sharpness during his 2024 re-election campaign against former President Donald Trump.

In July 2024, Biden made the momentous decision to withdraw from the presidential race following a widely criticized debate performance. His stumbling delivery and visible fatigue during the debate intensified public concerns about his health and fitness to serve another term.

Soon after, he announced his endorsement of then–Vice President Kamala Harris, calling her “the future of our party and our nation.” Despite his support, Harris went on to lose the November election to Trump, who began his second presidential term in January 2025.


Prostate Cancer: A Common Yet Serious Threat

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States, apart from skin cancers. It affects one in eight men during their lifetime.

The ACS notes that while prostate cancer is often treatable if detected early, it remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men, following lung cancer.

Older men are particularly at risk. Medical research suggests that around 80% of men over 80 show some cancerous changes in their prostate gland, even if the disease never becomes life-threatening.

Biden’s age and the aggressive nature of his cancer have made his case particularly complex. His doctors are combining radiation therapy, which targets and destroys cancer cells, with hormone therapy, designed to reduce the levels of testosterone that fuel tumor growth.

While these treatments can slow or shrink tumors, medical experts caution that they do not offer a permanent cure for metastatic prostate cancer.


A Private Battle, Public Sympathy

Since stepping away from politics, Biden has maintained a low public profile, focusing on his health and family life. However, he has continued to release occasional statements through his office, often reflecting on themes of resilience and service.

Those close to Biden describe him as remaining “mentally strong” and “determined to fight.” According to a family friend quoted by local media, he continues to follow his doctors’ advice closely and remains optimistic about his treatment plan.

Public sympathy has been overwhelming. Messages of support have poured in from across the political spectrum, including from former rivals. Donald Trump, now in his second term at age 79, reportedly wished Biden “a full and speedy recovery” during a recent White House press briefing.


Trump Declared in “Excellent Health” Following Checkup

In a notable contrast, Trump, the oldest individual ever elected to the U.S. presidency, underwent his second medical checkup of 2025 on Friday. His personal physician declared him to be in “excellent overall health.”

Trump’s team has frequently highlighted his physical stamina, contrasting it with Biden’s visible health struggles during the 2024 campaign. However, medical experts caution against politicizing age or illness, emphasizing that both men belong to an age group at increased risk for various health challenges, including prostate cancer.


Cancer Awareness and Advocacy

Biden has long been a vocal advocate for cancer research and patient support. As vice president under Barack Obama, he led the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative, a program aimed at accelerating cancer treatment innovations and improving survival rates.

Even after leaving office, Biden continued to champion cancer awareness. His family established the Beau Biden Foundation for Cancer Research in honor of his late son, focusing on helping families navigate the emotional and medical burdens of the disease.

Supporters say that his recent diagnosis has only strengthened his personal commitment to the cause. “He’s living the mission he’s always spoken about,” said one longtime aide. “He knows what it’s like to face cancer, not just as a leader, but as a father and now as a patient.”


A Legacy of Strength Amid Struggle

Biden’s journey with cancer adds another chapter to his decades-long public life marked by personal tragedy and perseverance. From losing his first wife and daughter in a car accident in 1972 to Beau’s passing in 2015, Biden has often spoken about finding hope through hardship.

Observers say that his current health battle has once again reminded the public of his enduring message: resilience in the face of adversity.

While his prognosis remains uncertain, Biden’s openness about his illness has sparked renewed national conversations about men’s health, cancer screening, and aging leadership.

As the former president continues his treatment, his words from May still resonate deeply:

“We are strongest in the broken places.”

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