Former President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that his radiation treatment for prostate cancer, completed last fall, "worked as intended." He used the occasion of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to urge American men not to delay discussions with their doctors about cancer screening.
Biden, 83, shared the update via a social media post, noting the personal significance of the awareness month following his own diagnosis. "The radiation treatment from last fall worked as intended, and I continue to do the things I care about, like finishing my memoir," Biden wrote. He also expressed gratitude to the medical professionals who provided his care.
He emphasized the importance of early detection in improving survival rates for prostate cancer. "Talk to your doctors. Ask the hard questions. Do it for yourself, and do it for the people who love you," Biden advised. He recommended that men at average risk begin discussing screening around age 50, while Black men and those with a family history should start these conversations earlier.
The American Cancer Society advises discussions about prostate cancer screening to begin at age 50 for average-risk men, at age 45 for Black men and certain men with a family history, and at age 40 for some men at higher risk.
Biden's office announced his diagnosis in May 2025, describing it as an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. The diagnosis followed increasing urinary symptoms, and doctors discovered a prostate nodule. At the time, his office stated the cancer had a Gleason score of 9, Grade Group 5, but was hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management. He subsequently underwent radiation therapy, completing the course of treatment last fall.
Biden concluded his message by thanking supporters for their prayers and expressing hope that sharing his experience could help save lives. "And no matter what, keep the faith. God bless you," he wrote.
