Joe Biden Provides New Update on Prostate Cancer Treatment

Former President Joe Biden has offered a new update on his ongoing battle with prostate cancer, saying that radiation treatment he underwent last fall worked as intended and expressing gratitude to the medical professionals involved in his care.

Biden, who announced his prostate cancer diagnosis in 2025, shared the update in a statement on Tuesday. His comments come as he continues to deal with a cancer that has previously been reported to have spread to his bones.

The former president used his message to thank supporters who have expressed concern about his health and to highlight the importance of awareness and early conversations with doctors about prostate cancer.

Biden Says Radiation Treatment Worked as Intended

In his statement, Biden said radiation treatment received last fall had “worked as intended.” He also thanked the doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who have helped manage his condition.

Biden expressed appreciation for people who have contacted him and his family with messages of support and prayers.

The former president also indicated that he remains engaged in personal projects, including work on his memoir, despite the challenges associated with his illness.

His latest statement provides a relatively positive assessment of one part of his treatment, although it does not mean that his cancer has been eliminated. Biden has previously been reported to have metastatic prostate cancer, meaning the disease has spread beyond the prostate.

That distinction is important because treatment outcomes can vary considerably depending on the stage and characteristics of an individual's cancer. Biden's personal medical situation should therefore not be interpreted as representative of every prostate cancer patient.

A Personal Message During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Biden also used his statement to draw attention to September's designation as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

The former president encouraged men to speak with their doctors rather than delaying conversations about prostate health. He pointed to the importance of identifying prostate cancer before it has an opportunity to spread.

His message reflects a broader public health concern. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prostate cancer was the most commonly reported cancer among men in the United States in 2022, with 255,395 new cases recorded that year. The CDC also reported that 70 percent of prostate cancer cases were diagnosed at a localized stage.

The CDC says localized prostate cancer is cancer that remains confined to the primary site. Cases can also be classified as regional, distant or having an unknown stage. In 2022, 9 percent of reported cases were diagnosed at the distant stage.

These figures help explain why doctors and public health organizations emphasize conversations about risk, testing and diagnosis.

Biden's Cancer Has Been Reported as Metastatic

Biden's health has received considerable attention since his diagnosis became public.

His son, Hunter Biden, discussed his father's condition during an interview in August and described the illness as debilitating and painful. Hunter also said that the cancer had spread to other parts of his father's body.

Former first lady Jill Biden has likewise spoken publicly about her husband's condition. She previously said that he was doing OK while acknowledging that his cancer had spread to his bones.

Bone involvement can make advanced prostate cancer substantially different from prostate cancer that remains localized. However, each patient's treatment plan and prognosis are different, and only a person's medical team can provide an accurate assessment of an individual's condition.

Biden's latest statement therefore offers an update on his treatment but does not provide a complete medical assessment of his current health.

Prostate Cancer Remains a Major Health Issue

Biden's experience has also brought renewed attention to prostate cancer among older American men.

The disease becomes more common with age, and the CDC reports that 43 percent of prostate cancer cases recorded in 2022 occurred among men aged 70 or older. Another 52 percent were diagnosed among men between 55 and 69.

The agency also notes differences in prostate cancer incidence among racial and ethnic groups. In 2022, Black men had the highest incidence rates among the racial and ethnic groups reported by the CDC.

Screening and testing decisions can be complicated because prostate cancer does not affect every patient in the same way. The CDC notes that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men aged 55 to 69 discuss the potential benefits and harms of PSA screening with their doctors, while routine PSA screening is not recommended by the task force for men aged 70 and older.

For that reason, men concerned about prostate cancer should discuss their individual circumstances with qualified medical professionals.

Cancer Has Affected the Biden Family

Cancer has also had a profound effect on Biden's family.

His son Beau Biden died in 2015 after battling brain cancer. Joe Biden has spoken frequently about his son's illness and has connected Beau's cancer to his military service and exposure to toxic burn pits.

Jill Biden has also faced cancer herself. In 2023, she underwent surgery to remove basal cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer, from areas including above her eye and her chest.

These experiences have made cancer a deeply personal issue for the Biden family and have frequently shaped the former president's public comments about medical research, healthcare and cancer awareness.

Biden Maintains a Lower Public Profile

Since leaving the White House in early 2025, Biden has largely maintained a lower public profile than during his presidency.

He has nevertheless continued to make occasional public appearances and political comments. In 2026, he criticized some renovation projects in Washington during a Democratic Party event.

His latest statement is notable because it focuses primarily on his health and gratitude toward supporters rather than politics.

The update also comes at a time when Biden's health remains a subject of public interest. His age, previous medical history and cancer diagnosis have all contributed to continuing scrutiny of his condition.

By publicly discussing his treatment, Biden is also drawing attention to a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of American men.

What Biden's Latest Update Means

Biden's statement provides some encouraging news about the radiation treatment he received last fall. His description that the treatment worked as intended suggests that doctors achieved the goal they had set for that particular course of treatment.

However, the statement should not be interpreted as an announcement that Biden is cancer-free.

Previous reporting has indicated that his prostate cancer had metastasized to his bones. His family members have also described the illness as an ongoing and serious health challenge.

The most significant takeaway from Biden's statement may therefore be his emphasis on awareness.

Prostate cancer can sometimes be detected before it spreads, and early-stage disease can have very different treatment prospects from advanced disease. The CDC reports that most prostate cancer cases in the United States were diagnosed at a localized stage in 2022.

For men concerned about their risk, speaking with a doctor about symptoms, family history and whether screening is appropriate can be an important step.

Biden's message ultimately combines a personal health update with a broader appeal for men to take prostate health seriously.

As he continues treatment and medical monitoring, the former president says he remains grateful to those caring for him and to the supporters who continue to reach out to his family.

Source

NTD/The Epoch Times on September 8, 2026.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational and news-reporting purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat or assess any individual's health condition. Information about Joe Biden's medical condition is based on publicly reported statements and should not be considered a substitute for information from his doctors or other qualified medical professionals. Readers with concerns about prostate cancer or cancer treatment should consult an appropriate healthcare professional.