Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.

Former US President Joe Biden (Photo: Getty).

“Last week, former President Joe Biden was evaluated for a new prostate mass after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms. On May 16, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Group 5) with metastases to the bone,” Biden’s office said.

“Although the cancer is aggressive, it appears to be hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective control of the disease,” the statement added.

Biden, 82, and his family are “reviewing treatment options.”

The news comes days after a Biden spokesman said the former president had recently been evaluated for a “small mass” on his prostate.

Last February, he underwent a physical at Walter Reed National Military Center under the supervision of Dr. Kevin O’Connor, who said at the time that there were “no new concerns” about the president’s health and that he was “fit to perform his duties.”

Biden left office earlier this year after becoming the oldest president in U.S. history.

Biden has long been an advocate for increased cancer research, founding the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative after the death of his son Beau Biden from brain cancer. The program was created when he was vice president and relaunched in 2022 with the goal of ending cancer.

American cancer expert surprised by Joe Biden’s illness

Former US President Barack Obama is confident that Mr. Biden will face the new challenge with his characteristic calm and determination.
After news emerged that former US President Joe Biden had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, Daniel Petrylak, a prostate cancer specialist at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital, said he was surprised by the development, given that Mr. Biden’s health has been closely monitored.

One possible complication in this case, Mr. Petrylak said, is that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in high-grade malignancies may be lower than expected because high-grade tumors produce less PSA per cancer cell than low-grade tumors.

Mr. Petrylak said Mr. Biden’s PSA may not have spiked, which would have raised the necessary medical concerns.

“So sometimes the PSA level doesn’t increase and you just feel a lump or a tumor. That’s why regular doctor visits are so important to detect the disease early,” Petrylak added.

From left to right: Kamala Harris, Joe Biden and Barack Obama. Photo: White House

Meanwhile, many people who know Biden continue to send messages of encouragement to him in his fight against cancer.

Former US President Barack Obama wrote on social network X: “No one has worked harder than Joe (Biden) to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms, and I am confident that he will face this challenge with his characteristic determination and calm. We pray for his full recovery.”

Biden served as vice president during Barack Obama’s two terms as president (2008-2016). Since then, the two have maintained a close relationship.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, said they were saddened to learn that Biden had prostate cancer.

According to The Economic Times, the Harrises stressed their continued admiration for Mr Biden’s resilience and expressed their hope for a full and speedy recovery.

“Joe is a fighter and I know he will face this ordeal with the strength, resilience and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We look forward to a full and speedy recovery,” the statement said.

Ms Harris was vice president during Mr Biden’s recent presidency.