Joe Biden announced that radiation treatment for his prostate cancer has been successful, stating it "worked as intended." The update comes weeks after his son, Hunter Biden, described the former president as experiencing "debilitating" bone pain due to the cancer's spread. Biden released the statement Tuesday on X, marking September's Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
"I am deeply grateful to the doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who helped to control my cancer and who continue to take such good care of me," Biden wrote. "Their skill, dedication, and compassion mean so much." He added that he continues to engage in activities he cares about, such as finishing his memoir.
This is Biden's first public comment on his health since Hunter Biden told the BBC in August that the cancer had metastasized into his bones and was causing significant pain. Hunter Biden had also expressed a wish that his father would complain more about his condition, stating, "it's not good."
Biden's office first disclosed his diagnosis with an "aggressive" form of prostate cancer in May 2025. He underwent surgery for skin cancer in September 2025 and began radiation and hormone treatment for the prostate cancer the following month. In June, First Lady Jill Biden told NBC that her husband would live with cancer for the rest of his life, noting that its metastasis to his bones presented a different situation than a localized prostate cancer diagnosis.
Biden, who was the oldest man to serve as U.S. president, faced concerns about his age throughout his term. Some former White House officials and an elected Democrat told The Washington Post in February that Biden appeared more fatigued in private interactions since his health issues were announced. He and his advisors faced criticism for allegedly concealing the extent of his health problems.
Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race in July 2024 following a debate with his successor, Donald Trump. He plans to release his memoir, "Promise Me, America," after the November midterm elections. Jill Biden's book, "View from the East Wing," released in June, detailed her private fears that her husband might have been having a stroke during the 2024 debate.
