Former President Joe Biden used Prostate Awareness Month to share what he called a deeply “personal” health message, encouraging men to speak with their doctors and take early cancer screening seriously.
Biden, 83, publicly revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis last year, after his time in the White House had ended.
“By the time we found it, it had already spread to my bones,” Biden wrote in an extended social media post. He stressed the importance of early detection, noting that when prostate cancer is discovered in its earliest stages, “the five-year survival is close to 100%.”
The former president also expressed gratitude to the medical team guiding his care, saying their work helped him continue with meaningful projects, including completing his memoir, which is set for release in November after the election.
“Their skill, dedication, and compassion mean so much,” Biden said. “The radiation treatment from last fall worked as intended, and I continue to do the things I care about, like finishing my memoir.”
Biden finished his treatment in October. His son, Hunter Biden, previously described the illness as “very debilitating,” while Jill Biden criticized White House physicians for not detecting it sooner. Men in Biden’s age group are typically not routinely screened for prostate cancer.
Thanking the public for its encouragement, Biden said he hopes speaking openly about his prostate cancer journey will push more men to seek medical advice. “It’s my hope and prayer that by sharing our experience and being part of this important conversation, we can help save lives. Talk to your doctors. Ask the hard questions. Do it for yourself, and do it for the people who love you.”
Biden is also expected to appear Friday at Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan alongside former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
