Former President Joe Biden has delivered a major update on his health, revealing that radiation treatment for his prostate cancer worked as doctors intended.
Biden, 83, shared the personal update during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month while encouraging American men to speak with their doctors about prostate cancer, individual risk factors and early detection.
The former president was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in May 2025, several months after leaving the White House. By the time doctors discovered the disease, Biden said it had already spread to his bones.
Now, more than a year after his diagnosis became public, Biden is offering new information about his treatment while using his experience to draw attention to one of the most common cancers affecting American men.
Biden Reveals Results of Cancer Treatment
Biden said radiation treatment he received last fall produced the results his medical team had intended.
He expressed gratitude to the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals involved in his care, crediting their work with helping control his cancer.
Despite his serious diagnosis, Biden said he has been able to continue doing activities that are important to him.
That includes completing work on his upcoming memoir, “Promise Me, America,” which is scheduled to be released in November.
The former president did not announce that he is cancer-free, however, and he did not disclose whether he expects to undergo additional treatment.
That distinction is important because Biden’s cancer had already metastasized to his bones when it was diagnosed.
Biden’s Cancer Was Already Advanced When Discovered
Biden’s diagnosis attracted considerable national attention because of the advanced stage of the disease.
His office announced in May 2025 that doctors had discovered an aggressive form of prostate cancer with bone metastasis.
Biden has now emphasized that the cancer had already spread by the time doctors found it, making his message about early detection particularly personal.
His family has also spoken publicly about the challenges surrounding his condition.
Hunter Biden said in August that his father’s cancer had spread into his bones and described the illness as painful and debilitating.
Former first lady Jill Biden has similarly discussed the seriousness of her husband’s diagnosis and the consequences of discovering the cancer after it had metastasized.
She has indicated that cancer will likely remain an ongoing health issue for the former president.
Biden Urges Men to Talk With Their Doctors
Rather than focusing exclusively on his own condition, Biden used his latest health announcement to encourage other men to pay closer attention to prostate health.
He urged men to have conversations with their doctors about screening and not to unnecessarily delay those discussions.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men make informed decisions about prostate cancer screening after discussing the potential benefits, risks and uncertainties with a healthcare provider.
The appropriate time for that conversation can differ based on a person’s age and individual risk factors.
For men at average risk, the American Cancer Society recommends discussing screening beginning at age 50. Men at higher risk may be advised to begin that conversation earlier.
Prostate Cancer Affects Hundreds of Thousands of Americans
Biden’s announcement comes as prostate cancer remains a significant health concern for men across the United States.
According to American Cancer Society estimates, approximately 333,830 new cases of prostate cancer are expected to be diagnosed nationwide in 2026. The organization estimates approximately 36,320 deaths from the disease this year.
Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American men.
Age is one of the major risk factors.
The American Cancer Society says prostate cancer is uncommon among men younger than 40, while the likelihood of developing the disease rises rapidly after age 50. Approximately six out of every 10 cases are diagnosed in men 65 or older.
Those numbers make prostate health an especially relevant subject for older Americans.
Early Detection Can Make a Major Difference
The outlook for prostate cancer can differ dramatically depending on how far the disease has progressed when it is discovered.
American Cancer Society data show that the five-year relative survival rate for localized prostate cancer is greater than 99%. The same rate applies to regional prostate cancer.
For prostate cancer that has already spread to distant parts of the body, however, the five-year relative survival rate is approximately 38%.
These statistics describe large groups of patients and cannot predict what will happen in any individual case.
They nevertheless help explain why Biden is emphasizing conversations between men and their healthcare providers about early detection.
A prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test is one method doctors can use to look for possible signs of prostate cancer. An abnormal PSA result does not automatically mean a person has cancer, and additional testing may be necessary.
Screening decisions should therefore be made with a qualified healthcare professional who can consider a patient’s age, medical history and other risk factors.
Biden Thanks Supporters Following Diagnosis
Biden also expressed appreciation for the people who have offered support and prayers to him and his family since his diagnosis became public.
His latest message reflects a noticeably personal approach to the subject.
After spending decades discussing healthcare from the perspective of a senator, vice president and president, Biden is now speaking about cancer as a patient dealing with the disease himself.
He said he hopes sharing his experience will encourage other people to ask questions and take their health seriously.
For men in their 50s, 60s and beyond, his message is straightforward: understand your individual risk and have an informed conversation with your doctor about prostate cancer screening.
What Biden’s Latest Health Update Means
Biden’s announcement provides a positive development concerning one part of his cancer treatment, but it does not mean his cancer has been declared cured.
The former president specifically reported that last fall’s radiation treatment worked as intended and that he remains able to pursue important personal projects, including finishing his memoir.
At the same time, Biden has not provided a detailed new prognosis or announced whether further cancer treatment will be required.
For now, his health will continue to be closely watched as he manages the disease outside the White House.
But Biden appears determined to use the attention surrounding his diagnosis for a broader purpose: encouraging American men to speak with their doctors before a potentially serious health problem goes undetected.
With hundreds of thousands of new prostate cancer diagnoses expected in the United States this year, that conversation could be important for families across the country.