Hunter Biden disclosed in a BBC interview that his father's aggressive prostate cancer has metastasized to the bones and is causing significant pain, marking the most serious public account of the former president's health since his diagnosis was announced in May 2025.
Former United States President Joe Biden's prostate cancer has progressed beyond its initial diagnosis, according to his son Hunter Biden, who described the condition as "very painful" and "very debilitating" during a recent BBC interview. Hunter Biden stated that the cancer has metastasized into his father's bones, providing the most concerning public health update about the 83-year-old since the diagnosis was first announced. However, Biden's medical team has not released an official statement confirming the extent of the progression, its timing, or whether treatment plans have changed.
Biden was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in May 2025 after experiencing worsening urinary symptoms. Medical testing revealed a high-grade tumor already present in his bones at that time. The former president's office indicated the cancer was hormone-sensitive, allowing for targeted treatment approaches. By October 2025, Biden's office confirmed he was undergoing hormone therapy and radiation treatment at a Philadelphia medical facility, which he subsequently completed.
Metastatic prostate cancer that has spread to bones can cause persistent pain and potentially weaken affected skeletal structures, increasing fracture risk and other complications. Treatment options typically include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted medications, and pain management approaches. The American Cancer Society notes that outcomes vary significantly among patients.
Hunter Biden became emotional during the interview, noting that his father continues to participate in public life despite his condition, including attending the dedication of former President Barack Obama's presidential library in June. The Biden family has previously experienced cancer losses, including the death of Biden's eldest son Beau from brain cancer in 2015. Without an official medical update from Biden's physicians, the precise scope of the cancer's spread and his current prognosis remain undisclosed.
