Former President Joe Biden is receiving radiation and hormone therapy as part of a new phase of treating the aggressive form of prostate cancer he was diagnosed with after leaving office, a spokesperson said Saturday. “As part of a treatment plan for prostate cancer, President Biden is currently undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment,” said Biden aide Kelly Scully.
The 82-year-old Democrat left office in January after he had dropped his bid for reelection six months earlier following a disastrous debate against Republican Donald Trump amid concerns about Biden’s age, health, and mental fitness. Trump defeated Democrat Kamala Harris, who was Biden’s vice president.
In May, Biden’s post presidential office announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and that it had spread to his bones. The discovery came after he reported urinary symptoms.
Prostate cancers are graded for aggressiveness using a system known as the Gleason score. The scores range from 6 to 10, with 8, 9, and 10 indicating prostate cancers that behave more aggressively. Biden’s office said his score was 9, suggesting his cancer is among the most aggressive.
Mr. Biden’s age and health were significant drags on his popularity as president and led to wide swaths of voters disagreeing with his decision to seek re-election last year. He ended his campaign in July following a disastrous performance during his lone debate with Donald J. Trump.
Despite the radiation treatments, he intends to keep his plans to appear at a pair of upcoming public events, Ms. Scully said. Though his cancer is an aggressive form that has spread to his bones, prostate cancer experts have said that men can live for several years with the disease.
He has received support from both sides of the political parties, with even republicans coming together to wish him a speedy recovery. Trump even reached out on Truth Social when he was first diagnosed, saying, “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Sources: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/biden-is-receiving-radiation-and-hormone-therapy-to-treat-his-prostate-cancer-aide-says
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/us/politics/biden-cancer-radiation.html
