WASHINGTON — Former President Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer, his office said Sunday, a devastating development after having dropped his bid for reelection last summer over widespread concerns over his age and health.
Biden’s personal office said he was examined last week after the president reported a series of concerning symptoms.
“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms. On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,” the office said in a statement.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management. The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians,” the statement added.
The former president, 82, had been making his first public appearances since leaving office in recent weeks, including a public address and a lengthy sit-down on ABC’s “The View,” and also hired a communications strategist to help burnish his legacy amid the publication of a series of books critically examining his time at the White House.
Biden has a tragic personal history with cancer, losing his son, Beau Biden, to glioblastoma in 2015, when he was serving as vice president. At that time, he launched the “cancer moonshot,” a government-wide push for improved cancer treatments that he relaunched during his presidency.
The spread of cancer to the bones will make Biden’s cancer difficult to cure. But its receptiveness to hormone treatments could help his medical team inhibit the cancer’s growth, at least temporarily.
Biden dropped out of the 2024 race in July under immense pressure from leadership in the Democratic Party after a disastrous debate with the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, laid bare concerns over his age and acuity.
Within hours of dropping out of the race, Biden endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, to run in his place. She quickly coalesced the party around her nomination and avoided a primary battle, but lost to Trump in November.
In a post on X, Harris said she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were saddened to learn of Biden’s diagnosis. “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time,” she 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. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
Last week on “The View,” Biden said he took responsibility for Trump’s return to power, because he was in office at the time. “I do, because, look, I was in charge and he won. So, you know, I take responsibility,” he said.
But he continued to reject criticisms that he and his team worked to conceal the effects of his age on his performance as president, saying he was not surprised by Harris’ loss and suggesting he still believes he could have beaten Trump had he stayed in the race.
“It wasn’t a slam dunk,” he said, referring to President Trump’s victory. “Let me put it this way. He’s had the worst 100 days any president’s ever had. And I would not say honesty has been his strong point.”
Trump expressed concern about Biden’s condition in a Truth Social post Sunday. “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’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,” he wrote.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom was among the many politicians from both parties who posted their warm wishes and prayers for the former president. “Our hearts are with President Biden and his entire family right now. A man of dignity, strength, and compassion like his deserves to live a long and beautiful life. Sending strength, healing and prayers his way,” Newsom wrote on X.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wrote on X: “This is certainly sad news, and the Johnson family will be joining the countless others who are praying for the former President in the wake of his diagnosis.”
Biden was spending the weekend in Delaware with family, an aide said.
