Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, his office announced on Sunday. The statement said, “Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.” It continued, “On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.” The announcement added, “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.” Biden and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.
Figure 1: Former US President Joe Biden diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer
Trump Sends Message of Support
Former President Donald Trump, who Biden defeated in the 2020 election, shared a message on Truth Social. He wrote, “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis.” He continued, “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
“Melania and I are saddened to hear about @JoeBiden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.” –President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/6HjermTGK7
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 18, 2025
Messages from Harris and Obama
Vice President Kamala Harris expressed support on social media. She said she was keeping Biden in her family’s “hearts and prayers during this time.” Harris wrote, “Joe is a fighter — and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership.” Former President Barack Obama praised Biden’s work in cancer research and offered his support. Obama wrote, “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.”
Doug and I are saddened to learn of President Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis. We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time. Joe is a fighter — and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and… pic.twitter.com/gG5nB0GMPp
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 18, 2025
Biden’s Health History and Political Impact
Biden previously had a basal cell carcinoma removed from his chest in February 2023. In November 2021, doctors removed a benign polyp from his colon. During his presidency, Biden launched a “cancer moonshot” initiative aiming to halve the cancer death rate within 25 years. He introduced this goal as a continuation of his work after losing his son Beau to brain cancer in 2015. He said the initiative could be an “American moment to prove to ourselves and, quite frankly, the world that we can do really big things.” Health concerns overshadowed his presidency, especially after a poor debate performance in June. He later dropped his re-election bid, and Harris became the Democratic nominee. Trump returned to the White House after defeating Harris in the election.
Understanding Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer affects the walnut-sized gland located below the bladder in men. It produces fluid that helps form semen. Cancer begins when abnormal cells grow inside the gland and may spread if untreated.
Figure 2: Symptoms and Signs of Prostate Cancer
Gleason Score Indicates Aggressiveness
Doctors use the Gleason score to grade prostate cancer from six to ten. A score of six or seven reflects less aggressive cancer. A score of eight or higher signals highly aggressive cancer. Biden’s score of nine suggests a severe and fast-spreading condition.
Common Symptoms and Detection
Prostate cancer may not show symptoms until it grows significantly. Possible symptoms include frequent urination at night, blood in urine or semen, and difficulty starting urination. Advanced symptoms can involve back pain, fatigue, bone pain, and weakness in limbs. Doctors detect prostate cancer through PSA blood tests and digital rectal exams. They may also use biopsies, MRIs, CT scans, bone scans, and ultrasounds.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause remains unclear, but risk increases with age, obesity, and family history. DNA mutations in prostate cells can lead to rapid and uncontrolled growth.
Treatment Options Vary by Severity
Doctors recommend different treatments based on cancer stage and patient needs. For early-stage cancers, surveillance may be enough. Aggressive cancers may require surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or hormone therapies. Targeted drugs and immunotherapies can also help manage advanced cases. Metastatic cancers are harder to treat due to their spread.
Survival Rates and Prevalence
The five-year survival rate for men under 65 with prostate cancer is about 98 percent. This drops to 85 percent for men over 80. If the cancer spreads, survival falls to between 30 and 40 percent. In 2021, the US recorded 236,659 new prostate cancer cases. The American Cancer Society estimates 313,780 new cases in 2025. About one in eight men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. Despite the numbers, improved screening methods help in early detection and treatment. The ACS reports that 3.3 million American men with prostate cancer are still alive.