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By Hannah Parry
Associate News Editor
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Former President Joe Biden shared an update on his battle with prostate cancer, saying radiation treatment has worked as intended while urging Americans to speak to their doctors about early detection.
Biden made the comments Tuesday in a post marking Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, reflecting on his own diagnosis last spring.
“This year it’s more personal for me,” Biden wrote. “More than 330,000 American men this year will hear the words we did last spring when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.”
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Biden revealed in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer after experiencing urinary symptoms. Doctors determined that the cancer had already metastasized to his bones by the time it was discovered.
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In his latest message, Biden stressed the importance of catching the disease early.
“When prostate cancer is caught early, the five-year survival is close to 100%,” he wrote, urging people not to delay speaking with their doctors.
Biden said men at average risk should begin discussing screening around age 50, while Black men should begin the conversation at 45 or earlier. He also highlighted family history as an important risk factor, advising men whose father or brother had prostate cancer to speak with their doctors beginning at age 45, or earlier if multiple close relatives were affected.
Biden pointed to racial disparities in prostate cancer outcomes, writing that Black men are “nearly 70% more likely to get this disease and 2 to 4 times more likely to die from it.”
“Which is an outrage in the richest country in the world,” he added.
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The 83-year-old former president also offered an update on his ongoing treatment, expressing gratitude to the doctors, nurses and other medical professionals caring for him.
“The radiation treatment from last fall worked as intended,” Biden said, adding that he continues to work on projects that matter to him, including finishing his memoir.
Biden also thanked people who have offered prayers and support to him and his family since his diagnosis.
“It’s my hope and prayer that by sharing our experience and being part of this important conversation, we can help save lives,” he wrote. “Talk to your doctors. Ask the hard questions. Do it for yourself, and do it for the people who love you.
“And no matter what, keep the faith. God bless you.”
What to Know About Joe Biden's Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Biden revealed in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer after doctors investigated urinary symptoms. His office said testing had found a prostate nodule and that the cancer had a Gleason score of 9, indicating an aggressive form of the disease.
Doctors also determined that the cancer had metastasized to his bones by the time it was diagnosed. Biden's office said his cancer was hormone-sensitive, meaning it could be treated with hormone therapy.
In his latest update, Biden said radiation treatment he underwent in fall 2025 “worked as intended.” He has continued to make public appearances and work on his memoir while undergoing treatment.
How Joe Biden's Health Issues Impacted His Presidency
Concerns about Biden's age and health became one of the defining issues of his presidency, particularly during his 2024 reelection campaign.
At 81, Biden was the oldest person to serve as president, and questions about his physical and cognitive fitness intensified after his performance in a June 2024 debate against Donald Trump.
Biden ultimately ended his reelection campaign in July 2024 and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Trump went on to defeat Harris in the November election.
Biden had faced health scrutiny before his prostate cancer diagnosis. His doctors had previously monitored conditions including atrial fibrillation, sleep apnea and high cholesterol, while Biden's White House repeatedly maintained that he remained capable of carrying out his presidential duties.
His cancer diagnosis came after he had left office, meaning the treatment has not affected his responsibilities as president. However, the diagnosis renewed discussion about the health challenges he faced during his final years in the White House.
What to Know About Prostate Cancer in U.S.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among American men. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 330,000 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2026, with more than 36,000 expected to die from the disease.
The cancer develops in the prostate, a small gland that forms part of the male reproductive system. Many prostate cancers grow relatively slowly, but some are aggressive and can spread beyond the prostate to other parts of the body, including the bones.
Age is one of the biggest risk factors, with the disease becoming more common as men get older. Family history and race can also affect risk.
Screening is therefore an important part of the conversation. The benefits and potential drawbacks of prostate cancer screening vary between individuals, so men are generally advised to discuss their personal risk factors and screening options with a healthcare professional.
Biden has used his own diagnosis to encourage men not to delay that conversation, particularly those at higher risk because of their family history or race.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Samantha Beech and Dave Siminoff.
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