Former President Joe Biden announced on November 8, 2025, that he would scale back promotional events for his upcoming memoir, Promise Me, America, due to his ongoing cancer treatment.
Biden, 83, stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that while his condition had not stopped him entirely, it had at times slowed him down. He wrote: “Some days are better than others. It hasn’t stopped me. But sometimes it slows me down.” As a result, he said he would be unable to participate in as many book-related conversations as originally planned. “However, I’m hopeful the words on the page speak for themselves,” he added.
The memoir, scheduled for release on November 17, 2025, reflects on Biden’s four years as president, including the decisions he made and the reasoning behind them. He noted that he was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer while writing the book.
Health Updates and Treatments
Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May 2025, four months after leaving office. His cancer had already spread to his bones at the time of diagnosis. He underwent radiation and hormone treatments in October 2025 and had surgery in September 2025 to remove a cancerous skin lesion from his forehead. In 2023, while in office, he had a basal cell carcinoma removed from his chest.
In September 2025, Biden marked Prostate Awareness Month by sharing a health update and urging men to get screened for early detection. He noted that over 330,000 American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, with a five-year survival rate of nearly 100% if caught early.
Family Perspectives
Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, told the BBC in August 2025 that his father’s cancer had spread to other parts of his body, describing the situation as “very debilitating.” Hunter added, “It’s really hard … and it’s really sad to watch.” He also expressed hope that his father would continue to speak out despite the challenges.
Former First Lady Jill Biden previously told NBC News that she believed her husband would live with cancer for the rest of his life. She emphasized the importance of his ongoing treatment and support from the public.
Memoir Details
Biden’s memoir, Promise Me, America, is described as an account of his presidency, including “the decisions I made, and why I made them.” He framed the book as a reflection on his faith in the American people and the nation’s democratic principles. The title references his long-standing political slogan, “Promise me, America.”
In his post, Biden also shared a personal anecdote, recalling advice from his father: “Champ, when you get knocked down, get up.” He added, “It’s a good lesson for me. And for America.”