Former U.S. President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Advanced Prostate Cancer; Spreads to Bones
Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, which has now reportedly spread to his bones. This information was shared in an official statement released by his office on Sunday.
The 82-year-old Biden visited his doctor last week after experiencing urinary issues. Following medical tests, he was diagnosed with this serious condition on Friday.
Reacting to the news, current U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his sympathy. “Melania and I were saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s illness. We are praying for Jill Biden and the entire family, and we sincerely hope he makes a full and speedy recovery,” Trump said.
Biden Was Treated for Skin Cancer in 2023
Prior to this, Biden had undergone treatment for skin cancer in 2023. According to White House doctors, he was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma — a common type of skin cancer — on his chest. The affected area was removed during a surgery in February that year.
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men.
Understanding the Prostate Gland
The prostate is a key part of the male reproductive system. It produces fluid that protects and nourishes sperm and helps transport it during ejaculation. Located just below the bladder and surrounding the urethra, the prostate tends to enlarge with age. This enlargement can compress the urethra and cause urinary issues. However, not all prostate enlargement cases result in cancer. Statistically, around 3 to 4 out of every 100 men are likely to develop prostate cancer.
Biden – The Oldest U.S. President in History
Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, becoming the oldest person to assume the U.S. presidency at 78 years and 220 days. He had planned to run for re-election, but growing concerns over his age and mental fitness led him to withdraw from the 2024 race.
He extended his support to then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who went on to lose to Trump in the 2024 presidential election. At the time of his second inauguration, Trump was 78 years and 61 days old — slightly younger than Biden when he first took office. As per the U.S. Constitution, Trump is not eligible for a third term, leaving Biden’s age record unchallenged for the foreseeable future.
A Political Career Spanning Five Decades
Biden’s retirement from politics marks the end of a five-decade-long career. He entered the Senate in 1972 at the age of 30, becoming one of the youngest senators in U.S. history. He ran for the presidency in 1988 and again in 2008. After Barack Obama’s victory in 2008, Biden served two terms as Vice President.
In 2020, the Democratic Party selected him to run against Trump, and he emerged victorious, becoming the 46th President of the United States. In 2024, due to pressure from within the party, Biden decided to withdraw his candidacy, making way for Kamala Harris.
Following the 2024 election, Biden remarked that had he been the Democratic nominee, he believed he could have defeated Trump again.
What Causes Prostate Cancer?
The exact cause of prostate cancer remains unknown. Unlike cancers linked to tobacco use, such as oral cancer, prostate cancer doesn’t have a single confirmed risk factor. However, scientific research suggests that genetic mutations are a major cause. Every cell in the body contains DNA, which holds genetic codes. When mutations occur in these codes — often 17 to 50 specific genetic changes — it can lead to prostate cancer. Since such mutations take time to develop, prostate cancer is more common in older men.
