Progression of Joe Biden’s Prostate Cancer
Former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has worsened since its initial diagnosis, according to his son, Hunter Biden. In a BBC interview, Hunter described his father’s condition as both painful and debilitating. Despite the severity, Hunter wishes his father would voice his discomfort more.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Biden, 83, disclosed his diagnosis in May 2025 upon finding a nodule in his prostate. Initially aggressive, the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which facilitates management. He has undergone hormone therapy and completed radiation treatment at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia.
Prostate cancer treatments include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiopharmaceutical treatments. Fox News Digital contacted Biden’s office for a statement.
Understanding Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer affects the prostate gland in men. From 2014 to 2021, cases increased by about 3% annually. Advanced cases rose by roughly 5% per year. The American Cancer Society anticipates 333,830 new cases in 2026, with 36,320 expected fatalities.
One in eight men will face a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, most commonly at age 67. Older men, particularly those over 65, face higher risks. Prostate cancer is second only to skin cancer in commonality among men.
Signs and Symptoms
Routine screenings often catch the disease early before symptoms appear. Symptoms might include urination issues, blood in urine, or bodily fluids. Advanced symptoms, seen once the cancer spreads, may involve pain in the hips, back, or chest, erectile dysfunction, weight loss, or loss of bladder control.
Screening and Survival
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises men aged 55 to 69 to consider PSA-based screening. Men should discuss potential benefits and risks with their clinician, considering their own values. Negative screening effects can include false positives, overdiagnosis, and related complications.
Research into alternative screening methods, like non-invasive urine tests, is ongoing. According to the American Cancer Society, localized prostate cancers have at least a 99% five-year survival rate. This rate is similar for regional cases, but drops to 37% if cancer spreads further. Outcomes depend on age, health, post-diagnosis cancer progression, treatment response, and more.
For further updates and health news from Fox News Digital, contact Melissa Rudy at [email protected].