Former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has further progressed since its initial diagnosis last year, his son Hunter Biden disclosed in a BBC interview that aired recently.
“The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further,” Hunter Biden informed BBC Newsnight, characterizing his father’s health as “very painful” and “very debilitating in many respects.” He added, “It’s really sad to watch. The only thing that I’d say about my dad, about his health right now, is I wish he would complain more, because it’s not good.”
Former President's Health Journey
Biden, who is 83 years old, first announced his prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025. This followed the discovery of a “small nodule” in his prostate during a routine medical examination.
At the time, his office released a statement indicating, “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management.” The statement further noted that “The president and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”
Subsequently, Biden underwent hormone therapy and radiation treatment. According to a spokesperson for the former president, he completed a course of radiation at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia in October 2025.
Beyond hormone therapy, common treatment approaches for prostate cancer encompass chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiopharmaceutical treatments.
Understanding Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a condition affecting men, originating in the prostate gland. The incidence of this disease has been increasing in recent years, with overall occurrences rising approximately 3% annually between 2014 and 2021, as reported by the American Cancer Society.
During the same period, rates of advanced-stage prostate cancer saw an increase of about 5% per year.
Projections from the American Cancer Society suggest that around 333,830 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026, and approximately 36,320 men are anticipated to die from the disease.
Statistics indicate that one in eight men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis during their lifetime. Older men face a higher risk, with six out of ten cases diagnosed in individuals aged 65 and above. The average age for diagnosis is 67, and it is uncommon for men under 40 to be affected.
The American Cancer Society identifies prostate cancer as the second-most prevalent cancer among men, surpassed only by skin cancer.
Symptoms and Screening Guidelines
For men who participate in regular prostate cancer screenings, the disease is typically detected early, often before symptoms manifest, according to the American Cancer Society.
Initial symptoms commonly include difficulties with urination, a weak or slow urinary stream, or an increased frequency of needing to urinate. Some individuals may also observe blood in their urine or other bodily fluids.
Should the disease progress and spread, more advanced symptoms may arise. These can include pain in areas such as the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other parts of the body.
Further advanced indicators might involve erectile dysfunction, unexplained weight loss, extreme fatigue, weakness in the legs or feet, or a loss of bladder or bowel control.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) advises that men between the ages of 55 and 69 should have the option to undergo periodic prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening for prostate cancer monitoring.
“Before deciding whether to be screened, men should have an opportunity to discuss the potential benefits and harms of screening with their clinician and to incorporate their values and preferences in the decision,” the USPSTF states.
While screening provides a “small potential benefit” in reducing the likelihood of death from the disease, the agency also highlights potential negative consequences. These can include false-positive results, overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and complications arising from treatment.
Prognosis and Survival Rates
For localized prostate cancers, which remain confined within the prostate gland, the five-year survival rate is at least 99%, as per the American Cancer Society.
In regional cases, where the cancer has spread only to “nearby structures or lymph nodes,” the five-year survival rate also remains high, at 99% or greater.
However, if the cancer has disseminated to other parts of the body, the five-year survival rate significantly decreases to 37%.
It is important to note that actual survival rates can vary based on several individual factors. These include the patient’s age, overall health status, how the cancer has progressed since diagnosis, its responsiveness to treatment, and other contributing elements, the American Cancer Society clarifies.
