Biden Faces Critical Health Battle with Metastatic Prostate Cancer
May 18, 2025 — Former President Joe Biden is facing an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has already spread to his bones.
The news has sparked concern among doctors and political observers. Many are asking how a disease this serious went undetected for so long, especially in a patient with regular access to some of the best medical care in the world.
Beyond the diagnosis, the moment carries weight. Biden has spent years fighting for better cancer treatment through his Cancer Moonshot initiative. Now, that mission takes on new urgency.
Diagnosis and Medical Details
Doctors found a small nodule during a recent physical exam. Biden had been experiencing increased urinary issues, which led to further testing. That testing confirmed the cancer had spread beyond the prostate.
Prostate cancer screenings usually involve a PSA blood test and a manual exam. They're widely used, but not perfect. In some cases, aggressive tumors can slip through, growing quickly between checkups.
Dr. Anita Shah, a professor of oncology at Stanford, explained that some forms of prostate cancer do not produce elevated PSA levels, making early detection harder.
"It's rare, but there are aggressive variants that move quickly and quietly," she said. "But in an 82-year-old man under regular observation, this should raise questions about whether the disease was underdiagnosed or if screenings were too infrequent."
The cancer is hormone-sensitive, meaning it may still respond well to treatments like hormone therapy, radiation, and possibly surgery.
How Did It Progress This Far?
How could a disease this aggressive have gone undetected until it spread to his bones. Especially in someone with routine access to elite care?
Dr. Michael Abrams, a urologic oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic, described the situation as "unusual but not impossible."
"With the level of screening someone like President Biden receives, we'd expect to catch something earlier," Abrams said. "That it advanced to bone before detection suggests either a very fast-growing tumor or a failure in screening intervals."
Some experts are now calling for a reevaluation of prostate cancer screening guidelines, particularly for older men in high-pressure roles.
"This diagnosis isn't just a personal health matter," said Dr. Jamal Kendrick, a public health expert. "It's a case study in how even privileged access to medicine can fall short if protocols don't account for aggressive disease trajectories."
The White House has not disclosed whether Biden missed any screenings or faced delays in follow-up.
The diagnosis has also sparked a new round of debate over whether doctors are using the right tools often enough. Advanced imaging like PSMA PET scans can catch aggressive cancers earlier. Yet, they still are not a part of standard screening for most patients.
As Dr. Shah said, "If this can happen to the President of the United States, imagine how many others are slipping through the cracks."
Obama to Trump: Reactions to Biden's Cancer Battle
Biden acknowledged the diagnosis in a public statement, saying:
"Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support."
The announcement spurred responses from political leaders, including Donald Trump and Barack Obama.
Obama wrote: "Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family. Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery."
Despite their differences, Trump also offered a moment of unity and compassion, stating:
"Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden's recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery."
Biden's Diagnosis Renews Focus on Cancer Moonshot Initiative Amid Funding Cuts
Biden has long tied his fight against cancer to personal loss. After his son Beau died of brain cancer, he made it his mission to speed up progress in research and treatment. That mission became the Cancer Moonshot.
As president, he expanded the program with a bold goal: cut the nation’s cancer death rate in half over the next 25 years. The effort has focused on early detection, better access to clinical trials, and emerging tools like AI diagnostics and genomic testing.
But now, just as the president begins his own cancer battle, the Moonshot is facing serious headwinds.
A Senate report released in May shows that the Trump administration cut federal cancer research funding by 31% in the first part of 2025.
“It’s a step backwards,” said Dr. Marcus Hill, a former NIH advisor. “We were on the verge of real breakthroughs. Pulling funding now puts patients and researchers at risk.”
Some parts of the initiative are still moving forward. Late last year, the Biden administration committed $150 million to develop advanced imaging tools for cancer surgery. Other agencies, including ARPA-H, are continuing work on new ways to detect and treat cancer earlier.
Biden’s Diagnosis: What Comes Next
President Biden's diagnosis is a wake-up call about the limits of even the best medical systems. If cancer this advanced can go undetected in someone with round-the-clock care, what does that mean for the average American?
Funding cuts may slow progress, but the fight against cancer is far from over. Biden's illness has reignited public interest and provoked renewed interest in how we detect, treat, and talk about this disease.
As Dr. Renee Fields said:
"When someone like the president is affected, it brings visibility. It reminds people that cancer isn't partisan, and it's not rare. It's a daily battle for millions."