Joe Biden’s Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Raises Big Questions for Men’s Health
Joe Biden, former President of the United States and a fixture in American politics for more than four decades, has just learned he faces one of the toughest battles of his life: aggressive prostate cancer with spread to his bones. His office confirmed the diagnosis on May 18, 2025, after routine medical checks shed light on worrying symptoms—a prostate nodule and urinary issues that are all too common in men of his age group.
The details make the situation especially serious. Doctors pegged the cancer’s aggressiveness using a Gleason score of 9, which ranks in the most severe category. Only a tiny percentage of newly diagnosed prostate cancers score this high. A score of 9, or so-called Grade Group 5, means the tumor cells look very abnormal under the microscope, and the disease spreads fast. In Biden’s case, it’s already moved into his bones—a reality most men dread after hearing the C-word.
Even when cancer jumps from the prostate to the bones, hope isn't out the window. Experts point to one silver lining: Biden’s cancer is still hormone-sensitive. That bit matters because these prostate cancer cells feed off male hormones like testosterone. Treatments called hormone therapies can block these hormones, slow down the cancer, and sometimes give patients precious extra time.
Understanding the Broader Impact of Prostate Cancer
Biden is not alone. Prostate cancer is incredibly common in the U.S.—the second most common cancer for men, according to the CDC. To put that into perspective, about 13 out of 100 guys will face prostate cancer during their lifetime. And the chance only goes up with age. Biden, at 82, fits squarely into the group at the most risk. Prostate cancer is notorious for sneaking up on men, often without clear symptoms.
His high-profile diagnosis is already making waves far beyond just his family or immediate political circle. Politicians across the board, including his rival and predecessor Donald Trump, have stepped up to express support. Trump called the news saddening and wished Biden a "fast and successful recovery," showing that health crises can briefly bridge political divides.
Biden’s public battle with cancer also reconnects with his family’s well-known commitment to medical research. He’s long spoken about his mission to cut U.S. cancer death rates—a goal that now carries even more personal weight. As America tunes in to Biden’s next moves, experts say it’s likely more men will get screened and speak openly about prostate health, helping chip away at the taboos and fears that keep too many silent until it’s too late.
Right now, Biden and his medical team are exploring every treatment option—ranging from advanced hormone therapies and perhaps newer drugs on the market, to palliative care that focuses on comfort. For anyone following this story, Biden's next steps could serve as a real-time lesson in what patients and their families face every day in the fight against advanced prostate cancer.