Former U.S. President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has spread to his bones and other parts of his body, his son Hunter Biden confirmed in a BBC interview aired Friday. The condition is described as painful and debilitating, with Hunter stating it is "very sad to watch" as his father continues to speak publicly on national issues despite his declining health.
Biden, 83, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in May 2025, less than four months after leaving the White House. His office at the time noted the cancer had already spread to his bones. Since then, he has undergone radiation therapy and hormone treatment, completing a course of radiation in October 2025. In September 2025, the Biden family also disclosed that he had surgery to remove cancerous skin cells.
Hunter Biden, visibly emotional during the interview, emphasized the toll the illness is taking on the family. "The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further," he said. "It’s very painful and it’s very debilitating in many respects." Despite his condition, Hunter noted that his father remains active, stating, "He’s still out there. He’s still doing his thing. He so believes in this country."
First Lady Jill Biden previously acknowledged the severity of the diagnosis in June 2025, telling NBC’s TODAY show that her husband would "live with cancer the rest of his life." She described the situation as "challenging," noting that the former president requires ongoing medical monitoring and treatment every three months.
Biden’s prostate cancer was initially identified as Stage 4 and hormone-sensitive, allowing for management through existing therapies. His office confirmed in May 2025 that the cancer was aggressive but noted it had not yet required chemotherapy. The Gleason score of 9, assigned at diagnosis, indicated both the cancer’s aggressiveness and the likelihood that it had been present for years prior.
Medical experts, including Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, vice provost and oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania, have suggested that Biden may have had the cancer as early as 2021, when he began his presidency. Emanuel stated in the American Journal of Medical Care that Biden "probably had it at the start of his presidency" and did not develop it recently.
The former president’s memoir, Promise Me, America, is scheduled for release on November 17, 2025. His public appearances, including the dedication of Barack Obama’s presidential library in June 2025, have drawn attention amid ongoing scrutiny of his health during and after his presidency.
A spokesman for Joe Biden declined to comment on Hunter Biden’s interview. The White House has not issued a formal statement regarding the latest update on the former president’s condition.