Hunter Biden disclosed that President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has metastasized into his bones, highlighting the painful and debilitating nature of the illness.
In a recent BBC interview, Hunter Biden revealed that his father, President Joe Biden, is facing a challenging battle with prostate cancer that has progressed since his initial diagnosis last year. The younger Biden described the situation as “very painful” and “very debilitating in many respects.”
“It’s really sad to watch,” Hunter Biden stated, expressing concern for his father’s health. He added, “The only thing that I’d say about my dad, about his health right now, is I wish he would complain more, because it’s not good.”
President Biden, who is 83 years old, announced his prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025 after a routine examination revealed a “small nodule” in his prostate. At that time, his office indicated that while the cancer represented a more aggressive form of the disease, it appeared to be hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management. The president and his family began reviewing treatment options with his medical team.
Following his diagnosis, President Biden underwent hormone therapy and radiation treatment. He completed a course of radiation at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia in October 2025, as confirmed by his spokesperson. Treatment options for prostate cancer typically include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiopharmaceutical treatments.
Prostate cancer, which develops in the prostate gland, is increasingly common among men. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the incidence of prostate cancer has risen approximately 3% annually from 2014 through 2021. During that same period, rates of advanced-stage prostate cancer increased by about 5% per year.
Looking ahead, the ACS projects that approximately 333,830 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2026, with an estimated 36,320 men expected to die from the disease. The organization notes that one in eight men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.
Older men are particularly at risk, with six in ten cases diagnosed in patients aged 65 and older. The average age at diagnosis is 67, and men under 40 are rarely affected. Prostate cancer is the second-most common cancer among men, following skin cancer.
Routine screening for prostate cancer typically allows for early detection, often before symptoms emerge. Early symptoms may include difficulties with urination, a weak or slow urinary stream, or an increased need to urinate. Some men may also notice blood in their urine or bodily fluids.
As the disease progresses, more advanced symptoms may arise, including pain in the hips, back, chest, or other areas. Additional symptoms can include erectile dysfunction, weight loss, extreme fatigue, weakness in the legs or feet, and loss of bladder or bowel control.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that men aged 55 to 69 years have the option to undergo periodic prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening to monitor for prostate cancer. The USPSTF advises that men should discuss the potential benefits and harms of screening with their healthcare provider before making a decision.
While screening may offer a small potential benefit in reducing mortality from prostate cancer, the USPSTF acknowledges that some men may experience negative effects, including false-positive results, overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and complications from treatment.
Research is ongoing into alternative screening methods for prostate cancer, including a non-invasive urine test that has recently garnered attention.
For localized prostate cancers, where the disease is contained within the prostate, the five-year survival rate is at least 99%, according to the ACS. For regional cases, where cancer has spread only to nearby structures or lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate remains at 99% or greater. However, if the cancer has metastasized to other areas of the body, the five-year survival rate drops to 37%. Actual survival rates can vary based on factors such as the patient’s age, overall health, cancer progression after diagnosis, and treatment response.
As the Biden family navigates this difficult time, the focus on prostate cancer awareness and treatment options remains crucial, especially given the rising incidence of the disease.
For more information on prostate cancer and its treatment, refer to the American Cancer Society.