Joe Biden’s Cancer Has Advanced, Hunter Biden Says, Bringing Renewed Focus to Former President’s Health

Former U.S. President Joe Biden is facing a worsening battle with prostate cancer, according to new comments from his son, Hunter Biden. In a recent BBC interview, Hunter Biden said the disease has progressed beyond its earlier spread to the bones and has become extremely painful and debilitating for his father. The disclosure provides the most significant public update on Biden’s condition since his treatment became known.

The news has renewed attention on the health of the 83-year-old former president, whose physical condition was already closely scrutinized during his presidency. Biden left the White House in January 2025 after serving one term and remains a prominent figure in American politics, although he no longer holds public office.

Cancer Was First Disclosed in 2025

Biden’s office announced in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. At the time, doctors had determined that the cancer had already metastasized to his bones. His office described the disease as hormone-sensitive, suggesting that it could respond to hormone-based treatment. The cancer was also reported to have a Gleason score of 9, placing it in the highest-risk grade group.

The diagnosis came after Biden experienced urinary symptoms. Medical evaluation subsequently identified a prostate nodule, leading to further testing and the cancer diagnosis.

The revelation was particularly significant because it came only months after Biden left the presidency. It also occurred against the backdrop of years of public discussion about his age and physical condition.

Hunter Biden Describes a Difficult Situation

In his BBC interview, Hunter Biden offered a personal account of what his father’s illness has been like for the family. He said the cancer has continued to spread and described the condition as painful and debilitating.

The comments are important because Biden himself and his office have generally provided limited public information about the progression of his illness. Hunter’s remarks therefore offer a rare glimpse into the former president’s current circumstances.

However, there has been no detailed medical report released publicly that explains the precise locations of any new cancer spread, the current extent of the disease, or Biden’s latest treatment response. Consequently, Hunter Biden’s account should be understood as a family member’s description rather than a substitute for a formal medical statement.

Biden Previously Received Radiation and Hormone Treatment

Biden’s treatment became more public in October 2025, when his spokesperson confirmed that he was undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment. At that time, officials said the treatment represented a new stage in his care.

The former president later completed a course of radiation therapy in October 2025. His spokesperson confirmed that he had finished the treatment at a Philadelphia cancer center.

Hormone therapy is commonly used in prostate cancer because many prostate cancer cells depend on male hormones, particularly androgens, to grow. Reducing or blocking those hormonal signals can slow the disease in appropriate patients. Radiation can be used to target cancer cells in specific areas.

The choice and effectiveness of treatment, however, depend on numerous factors, including the cancer’s biology, location, previous therapies and the patient’s overall health. Biden’s personal medical plan has not been fully disclosed.

Why Metastatic Prostate Cancer Is a Serious Condition

Prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate is considered metastatic disease. When cancer reaches the bones or other distant organs, treatment generally focuses on controlling the disease, slowing its progression and maintaining quality of life.

Bone involvement can be particularly challenging because it may cause persistent pain and affect mobility. This helps provide context for Hunter Biden’s description of his father’s condition as increasingly difficult.

Modern medicine has developed several approaches for advanced prostate cancer, including hormone-based treatments, radiation, chemotherapy and newer targeted medicines. Doctors determine the most appropriate combination based on an individual patient’s circumstances.

It is therefore not possible to predict Biden’s prognosis solely from public reports. Cancer progression can vary substantially between patients, even when they have similar diagnoses.

Health Questions Followed Biden During His Presidency

Biden’s health had already been a major subject of public discussion before his cancer diagnosis. During his presidency from 2021 to 2025, questions about his age, physical stamina and mental sharpness became increasingly prominent.

He was the oldest person to win the U.S. presidency when he was elected in 2020. His age became an especially important political issue during the 2024 election campaign.

Following a widely criticized debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024, concerns about Biden’s ability to continue campaigning intensified. He eventually ended his reelection campaign and was succeeded in the Democratic race by Vice President Kamala Harris, although she ultimately lost the November election to Trump.

The cancer diagnosis came several months after Biden left office, adding another major health challenge to a period already marked by intense public scrutiny.

Family Perspective Adds an Emotional Dimension

Hunter Biden’s latest comments also highlight the personal consequences of the former president’s illness.

Cancer affects not only patients but also their families, particularly when the disease becomes advanced. Family members can face emotional strain while trying to balance privacy, medical care and public attention.

The Biden family has experienced cancer before. Biden’s son Beau Biden died from brain cancer in 2015 at the age of 46. That history has inevitably added an emotional dimension to the family’s experience with the former president’s illness.

Hunter Biden’s decision to speak publicly about his father’s condition has consequently attracted considerable attention in the United States and internationally.

Political Impact Is Likely to Be Limited but Symbolically Important

Biden is no longer president, meaning his health does not directly determine the operation of the U.S. government. Nevertheless, his condition remains politically relevant because of his place in recent American history.

His presidency involved major decisions on foreign policy, the economy, healthcare, climate policy and relations with allies and rivals. His age and health also became central issues in the 2024 election.

The latest disclosure may therefore contribute to continuing discussions about the extent to which Biden’s health affected his final years in office. However, conclusions about his ability to perform presidential duties in the past should not be drawn solely from his current medical condition.

Biden Continues Public Life

Despite his illness, Biden has continued to appear publicly on selected occasions. He attended the dedication of former President Barack Obama’s presidential library in Chicago earlier this year, demonstrating that he remains engaged with public events.

His post-presidential activities also include work surrounding his upcoming memoir, reportedly scheduled for release on November 17.

For now, the most important development is the reported progression of his cancer and the impact it is having on his quality of life. The family has provided a more candid picture of the struggle, while detailed medical information remains limited.

The latest disclosure underscores the seriousness of Biden’s illness but also highlights the importance of distinguishing between confirmed medical information and personal accounts. As his treatment continues, any further updates from his doctors or official representatives will likely receive close attention.

For an 83-year-old former president who spent decades at the center of American public life, the cancer battle represents a deeply personal chapter away from the political spotlight. The coming months will show how his condition develops and how his family chooses to balance his privacy with the public’s interest in his health.