WILMINGTON, DELAWARE – MAY 18, 2025 — Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has already spread to his bones, his personal office confirmed on Sunday in a public statement that has sent shockwaves through the political and global community.
The 82-year-old former president underwent medical evaluation last week after reporting increased urinary symptoms. Physicians discovered a concerning prostate nodule, which led to a diagnosis of prostate cancer on Friday. The cancer, identified by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), has metastasized to the bone—a development considered severe in the medical community.
Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, Biden’s team remains cautiously optimistic. “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” the statement read.
Biden is currently at home in Wilmington, Delaware, where he and his family are exploring treatment options in consultation with his medical team. It remains unclear where he will receive further care.
Health concerns have long loomed over Biden’s political career, especially as he became the oldest person to assume the U.S. presidency. Questions about his cognitive and physical fitness intensified following a faltering debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024. That moment, widely viewed as a political turning point, preceded his withdrawal from the 2024 re-election race three weeks later.
The news of Biden’s diagnosis comes on the heels of reports from a new book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, which documents moments of decline that aides had attempted to downplay—including discussions about the potential need for a wheelchair during a second term and instances of memory lapses, such as not recognizing actor George Clooney at a fundraiser.
Biden had largely receded from public life after leaving office but recently made a televised appearance with his wife, Jill Biden, on ABC’s The View. During the interview, he rebuffed claims of cognitive decline and defended his decision-making in his final year at the White House.
As the former president confronts his most personal battle yet, messages of support have poured in from across the political spectrum, underscoring the impact of his long public service and the concern surrounding his latest health challenge.
