Joe Biden diagnosed with 'aggressive' prostate cancer

Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an "aggressive form" of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his office said in a statement on Sunday. Biden, 82, was diagnosed on Friday after experiencing urinary symptoms, and he and his family are reviewing treatment options with doctors, according to the statement. "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," Biden said in an X post early on Monday.

Cancers that have spread, or metastasized, are considered Stage 4, the most advanced. Most prostate cancers are detected at an earlier stage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the 236,659 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in 2021, 70% were diagnosed before the cancer had spread beyond the prostate. About 8% of new prostate cancer diagnoses that year involved advanced-stage disease.

"While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management," Biden's office said on Sunday. Biden's physical health and mental acuity drew scrutiny during his 2021-2025 presidency. He abruptly ended his bid for re-election last July, weeks after a halting performance during a debate against Republican Donald Trump prompted panic among his fellow Democrats.

President Trump, who has repeatedly berated Biden since taking office in Jan, expressed sympathy on Sunday for Biden and his wife, Jill, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. "Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden's recent medical diagnosis," he wrote. "We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery."