Former President Biden Has Prostate Cancer, AP Reports

The Associated Press is reporting that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The AP said the news was confirmed by Biden’s office.

“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” his office said in the statement. “The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”

According to the report, Biden, 82, was diagnosed Friday, after a prostate nodule was found during an exam on Tuesday. Cancer cells have spread to the bone, meaning the cancer has metastasized. His cancer reportedly has a Gleason score of 9 on a scale of 1 to 10, further confirming that the cancer is aggressive.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that 5-year survival rates for metastatic prostate cancer are 37%. When prostate cancer is found in earlier stages, the 5-year survival rate is 99%. A study in JAMA Network Open has found that many deaths for those with metastatic prostate cancer come from other causes.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for men, behind lung cancer, according to ACS.

However, the fact that Biden's cancer is hormone sensitive gives him better options than just a few years ago. A 2023 article published by the American Society for Clinical Oncology highlighted the complexities of treating this cancer in a metastatic phase, but also that new treatment approaches offer hope to some patients. Androgen deprivation therapy, combined with androgen receptor-targeted therapy, can block the hormone supply from allowing cancer to grow. Treatments can also include chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Biden’s visit to physicians was prompted by urinary symptoms, the AP reported.

The Biden family has been deeply affected by cancer. His oldest son, Beau Biden, died of brain cancer almost 10 years ago on May 30, 2015. In response, then-Vice President Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden launched the Cancer Moonshot, which resumed when Biden became president. The goals of the Moonshot are to prevent 4 million cancer deaths by 2047 and to improve the lives of those living with cancer.

While out of office from 2017 to 2021, the Bidens ran the Biden Cancer Initiative.

Questions about Biden's age and health surrounded his attempt to seek re-election in 2024. He ultimately abandoned his bid for a second term after a disastrous debate performance on June 27, 2024. Biden's cancer diagnosis comes less than 4 months after he left office.