Former U.S. President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has spread beyond his bones and is causing significant pain, according to his son, Hunter Biden. The younger Biden shared the update during an interview with the BBC’s "Newsnight," stating that the condition is debilitating in many respects. A spokesman for the 83-year-old former president declined to comment on the interview on Saturday.
The diagnosis was first made public in May 2025, approximately four months after Biden finished his term in the White House. At the time of the initial announcement, the former president described the illness as an "aggressive form" of prostate cancer that had already metastasized to his bones.
Following the initial diagnosis, a spokesman confirmed in October 2025 that Biden was receiving radiation therapy and hormone therapy. Despite the illness, Biden has remained somewhat active in public life, including attending the dedication of Barack Obama’s presidential library in Chicago this past June. Biden served as vice president under Obama from 2009 to 2017.
The scale of the situation involves the management of a terminal illness for a former head of state who is currently 83 years old. While specific medical costs or the exact number of medical personnel involved were not reported, the progression of the cancer to a "debilitating" state suggests a significant shift in his day-to-day capabilities. Readers and the public may notice a decrease in his public appearances, such as the absence of further events similar to the June library dedication.
The news of the cancer's spread comes as Biden's presidential memoir is scheduled for release on November 17, 2026. This timeline suggests that his health may influence the promotional activities surrounding the book's launch. Further updates regarding his condition or treatment plans have not been scheduled, and his office has maintained a policy of declining comment on the recent interview as of Saturday.