US ex-president Joe Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer

US ex-president Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer — Former US President Joe Biden, September 23, 2024. Photo: The White House

WASHINGTON,— Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an advanced form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, according to a statement from his office released on Sunday, Reuters reported.

The 82-year-old was diagnosed on Friday after experiencing symptoms related to urination. Biden and his family are currently working with physicians to determine the next steps for treatment, the statement said.

“This is a more aggressive variant of prostate cancer,” the statement noted, “but it is hormone-sensitive, which provides avenues for effective treatment.”

Metastatic prostate cancer, such as Biden’s, is classified as stage four — the most serious level. Most prostate cancers are typically detected before they reach this stage.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that out of 236,659 prostate cancer cases diagnosed in 2021, about 70 percent were caught early. Only 8 percent were found after the disease had already spread.

Biden’s health and cognitive condition were often scrutinized throughout his time in office from 2021 to 2025.

He exited the 2024 presidential race last July, following a shaky performance during a debate with Republican rival Donald Trump that raised concerns within his party.

On Sunday, Trump posted a message on his social media site, Truth Social, expressing support for Biden and his wife. “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis,” he wrote. “We send our warmest wishes to Jill and the entire Biden family, and hope for a quick and full recovery.”

According to Biden’s office, his cancer received a Gleason score of 9 out of 10 — a measure used to determine cancer severity. Medical experts say a score that high indicates a serious case. However, some specialists noted that patients can still live several years even after metastasis.

Dr. Herbert Lepor, a urology specialist at NYU Langone, said that even with a high-risk diagnosis, men with advanced cases can often live five to ten years or more, thanks to recent progress in treatment.

Dr. Chris George, cancer program director at Northwestern Health Network, added that although bone-spread prostate cancer cannot be cured, there are options available to manage the illness and improve quality of life.

Biden was the oldest person elected to the presidency when he won in 2020. Trump, now 78, surpassed that milestone after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the most recent election.

Some Democratic officials have acknowledged regrets about supporting Biden’s 2024 run, citing voter unease about his age. Prior to the July debate, polls conducted by Reuters/Ipsos showed that most Americans — including a majority of Democrats — felt he was too old to seek another term.

Appearing Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said, “It was a mistake for Democrats to ignore voters’ concerns earlier on.”

Since leaving the White House, Biden has made only a few public appearances. He gave a speech in April defending Social Security and has spoken out against reports that he was experiencing mental decline during his final year in office.

“They are incorrect,” Biden said during a recent interview on ABC’s “The View,” rejecting claims made in two newly published books.

Vice President Harris was among many officials offering public support Sunday. “Joe is a fighter,” she said, “and I know he’ll take on this battle with the same strength and resilience he’s always shown.”

Biden previously lost his son, Beau, to brain cancer in 2015. In 2022, he restarted the Cancer Moonshot initiative, a program first launched during the Obama administration, with the goal of cutting cancer death rates by half within 25 years.

(With files from Reuters)