Joe Biden’s Prostate Cancer Progression

Former President Joe Biden is facing a serious health challenge as his prostate cancer has spread. This was disclosed by his son, Hunter Biden, in a recent BBC interview.

The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further, Hunter Biden stated, describing his father’s condition as debilitating and painful. He expressed concern over his father’s situation, noting that he wishes his father would express more about the pain he experiences.

Biden, at the age of 83, publicly announced his prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025. It followed the discovery of a small nodule during a routine examination of the prostate.

Treatment Options and Developments

Former President Biden underwent hormone therapy and radiation treatment. His treatment included radiation at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia, completed in October 2025.

Prostate cancer treatment often involves hormone therapy, but can include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiopharmaceutical treatments.

Understanding Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer affects men and develops in the prostate gland. The American Cancer Society reports a 3% annual increase in prostate cancer cases between 2014 and 2021. The rate of advanced-stage cancer rose by about 5% in the same period.

Projections for 2026 estimate around 333,830 new cases will be diagnosed, with 36,320 men expected to succumb to the disease. One in eight men will encounter prostate cancer at some point.

Risk Factors and Age

Older men are more susceptible to the disease, with six out of ten cases arising in individuals over 65. The mean age for diagnosis is 67, with those under 40 rarely affected.

Symptoms and Early Detection

Routine screening often detects prostate cancer before symptoms appear. Initial signs include urinary difficulties, blood in urine, or bodily fluids.

Advanced disease symptoms might encompass pain in various body areas, erectile dysfunction, weight loss, fatigue, leg weakness, or loss of bladder control.

Screening Recommendations

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends men aged 55 to 69 consider periodic screening using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests.

A discussion with healthcare providers about the benefits and risks should precede any screening decision to align with patient values.

Survival Rates

Localized prostate cancers have a five-year survival rate of at least 99%. This rate remains for regional cases. However, once the disease spreads extensively, the survival rate drops to 37%.

Survival depends on various factors including the patient’s age, overall health, and the disease’s response to treatment.

Melissa Rudy is a senior health editor at Fox News Digital. Tips can be directed to [email protected].