Former President Joe Biden has shared a personal update about his ongoing battle with advanced prostate cancer, revealing that the disease is now affecting how much he can do in public.
At 83, Biden says he remains determined to stay active, but his health has forced him to reconsider some of his plans.
The update comes just days before the scheduled release of his presidential memoir, Promise Me, America, on November 17, 2026.
Although Biden says his doctors remain encouraged by his response to treatment, he acknowledged that not every day is equally manageable.
His experience also raises an important health question: How can prostate cancer progress to an advanced stage, and what warning signs should men recognize before the disease spreads?
Biden Reveals How Cancer Is Affecting His Daily Life
On November 8, Biden addressed his health while discussing the upcoming release of his memoir.
He explained that his cancer diagnosis occurred while he was working on the book and that treatment has become a significant part of his life.
Despite receiving encouraging feedback from his medical team, he acknowledged that the illness sometimes affects his energy and ability to maintain a demanding schedule.
As a result, he will participate in fewer promotional events and public conversations about the book than originally hoped.
Biden also thanked those who have offered messages of encouragement to him and his family.
His comments offered a rare personal glimpse into the challenges of living with metastatic cancer, a condition that can require ongoing treatment and medical monitoring.
What Kind of Cancer Does Joe Biden Have?
Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in May 2025, several months after leaving the White House.
His medical team reported that the disease had already spread to his bones when it was identified.
This is known as metastatic prostate cancer, or stage 4 prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland, a small organ located below the bladder that plays a role in producing seminal fluid.
Many prostate cancers grow slowly and remain confined to the gland for years.
However, some forms are more aggressive and can spread to other parts of the body.
The bones are among the most common locations for prostate cancer metastases.
When cancer spreads beyond the prostate, treatment becomes more complex because doctors must address cancer cells throughout the body rather than only within the original tumor.
Why Bone Metastases Are a Serious Concern
When prostate cancer spreads to the bones, it can interfere with normal bone structure and function.
Some patients experience persistent pain, especially in the back, hips, pelvis, or ribs.
Others may develop fatigue, weakness, fractures, or mobility difficulties.
In certain cases, metastatic tumors affecting the spine can compress nerves or the spinal cord, creating a medical emergency.
However, not every person with bone metastases experiences the same symptoms.
The severity of symptoms depends on factors such as the location of metastases, the extent of disease, overall health, and response to treatment.
Biden has publicly discussed limitations related to his illness, but his complete current medical status has not been disclosed.
It would therefore be inappropriate to assume which specific symptoms he is experiencing.
What Doctors Have Said About His Treatment
Following Biden’s diagnosis, his representatives indicated that the cancer appeared responsive to hormone-based treatment.
Many prostate cancers depend on testosterone and other androgens to grow.
Androgen deprivation therapy works by reducing androgen levels or interfering with their effects on cancer cells.
This can slow disease progression and help control symptoms in many patients with advanced prostate cancer.
Biden has also received radiation therapy as part of his treatment.
Radiation may be used in prostate cancer to treat specific areas, relieve symptoms, or address certain cancer-related complications, depending on the clinical circumstances.
Importantly, responding well to treatment does not necessarily mean the disease has disappeared.
Advanced prostate cancer can sometimes be controlled for extended periods, but it generally requires continued medical monitoring.
Biden’s latest comments indicate that his physicians remain encouraged by his response, although no new detailed scan results or laboratory measurements were provided.
7 Prostate Cancer Warning Signs Every Man Should Know
One of the most challenging aspects of prostate cancer is that early-stage disease often causes no noticeable symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they may resemble those of common noncancerous prostate conditions.
Nevertheless, certain changes deserve medical evaluation.
1. Frequent urination, especially at night
Needing to urinate more often than usual can sometimes indicate a prostate problem.
This is particularly noticeable when someone begins waking repeatedly during the night to use the bathroom.
However, frequent urination is commonly caused by benign prostate enlargement, urinary tract problems, diabetes, or other conditions.
It should not automatically be interpreted as cancer.
2. Difficulty starting or maintaining urination
Some men notice that their urine stream becomes weaker or that they struggle to begin urinating.
They may also experience interrupted flow or a sensation that their bladder has not emptied completely.
These symptoms are frequently associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, but persistent changes should still be discussed with a healthcare professional.
3. Blood in the urine or semen
Visible blood in urine or semen can be alarming.
Although infections, inflammation, stones, and other noncancerous conditions may cause bleeding, cancer is another possible explanation.
Unexplained blood in urine should always be medically evaluated.
4. Persistent pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis
Advanced prostate cancer can sometimes spread to bones in the pelvis and spine.
This may produce persistent or worsening pain that does not improve as expected.
Most back and hip pain is not caused by cancer, but unexplained pain accompanied by other concerning symptoms warrants evaluation.
Severe back pain with new leg weakness, numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control requires emergency medical attention.
5. Unexplained weight loss
Losing weight without changing your diet or activity levels can be a sign of an underlying medical problem.
In advanced cancers, inflammation, reduced appetite, and changes in metabolism may contribute to weight loss.
However, many noncancerous conditions can also cause unexplained weight changes.
Persistent, unintended weight loss should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
6. Unusual fatigue or weakness
Cancer and cancer treatments can both contribute to fatigue.
Some people with advanced disease experience exhaustion that is not fully relieved by sleep.
Fatigue alone is not a specific sign of prostate cancer, but persistent unexplained weakness deserves investigation.
7. Persistent discomfort in the pelvic area
Some men experience pressure, pain, or discomfort around the pelvis or lower abdomen.
These symptoms have numerous possible explanations, including urinary conditions and musculoskeletal problems.
When symptoms persist or worsen, medical evaluation can help identify the underlying cause.
Why Prostate Cancer Can Develop Without Early Symptoms
Many prostate tumors develop in areas of the gland that do not immediately interfere with urination.
As a result, cancer may grow without producing noticeable changes.
This is why waiting for symptoms is not a reliable way to detect prostate cancer early.
The prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test can help identify men who may benefit from further evaluation.
However, elevated PSA does not automatically mean cancer.
PSA levels can also rise because of benign prostate enlargement, inflammation, infection, and other factors.
Likewise, some men with prostate cancer may have PSA levels that are not markedly elevated.
Doctors consider PSA results together with age, family history, previous test results, symptoms, and individual risk factors.
At What Age Should Men Consider Prostate Cancer Screening?
Prostate cancer screening is an individualized decision.
In the United States, the American Cancer Society recommends discussing screening at approximately age 50 for men at average risk who are expected to live at least another ten years.
Men at higher risk, including those with certain family histories, may benefit from beginning these discussions earlier.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends individualized PSA screening decisions for men ages 55 to 69 and recommends against routine PSA-based screening in men 70 and older.
These recommendations differ because screening can have both benefits and harms, including false-positive results, overdiagnosis, and unnecessary treatment.
A healthcare professional can help determine whether screening is appropriate based on individual circumstances.
Can Prostate Cancer Risk Be Reduced Naturally?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent prostate cancer.
Age, genetics, family history, and certain inherited mutations can influence risk.
However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle may support general health and help lower the risk of several chronic diseases.
Maintain a healthy body weight
Excess body weight has been associated with a greater risk of aggressive prostate cancer in some studies.
Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular physical activity may support long-term health.
Eat a varied, nutrient-rich diet
A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and healthy fats provides nutrients important for normal cellular function.
Tomatoes, leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and other plant foods can contribute to a balanced dietary pattern.
However, no particular food has been proven to prevent or cure prostate cancer.
Stay physically active
Regular exercise helps maintain cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, metabolic health, and body weight.
Adults are generally encouraged to obtain at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, alongside muscle-strengthening activities.
People receiving cancer treatment should follow activity recommendations appropriate to their medical condition.
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
Smoking is associated with numerous serious diseases and may contribute to worse outcomes in people with prostate cancer.
Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol are important components of general cancer-risk reduction.
Be cautious with supplements
Products marketed for prostate health often contain ingredients such as saw palmetto, selenium, zinc, or herbal extracts.
However, evidence does not support using these supplements to prevent or treat prostate cancer.
High-dose supplementation can sometimes cause harm or interact with prescribed treatment.
Men undergoing cancer treatment should discuss supplement use with their oncology team.
What Happens When Prostate Cancer Reaches Stage 4?
A stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis means the disease has spread extensively beyond its original location or has certain advanced characteristics.
When distant metastases are present, treatment often focuses on controlling cancer growth, maintaining quality of life, reducing symptoms, and prolonging survival.
Modern treatment options may include hormone therapy, androgen receptor-targeted medications, chemotherapy, radiation, radiopharmaceuticals, and other targeted treatments in selected patients.
The most suitable approach depends on the tumor’s biology, previous treatments, genetic findings, and the patient’s overall health.
Although metastatic prostate cancer is generally not considered curable with current treatments, many patients can experience meaningful responses and periods of disease control.
Biden’s reported response to treatment reflects the importance of ongoing oncology care, even when the disease is advanced.
The Importance of Paying Attention to Your Health
Biden’s experience has brought renewed attention to prostate cancer, particularly among older men.
His diagnosis illustrates how aggressive disease can be identified after it has already spread.
But it also highlights the importance of distinguishing between early detection and symptom recognition.
Men should not assume that the absence of urinary symptoms means their prostate is healthy.
At the same time, common urinary complaints should not automatically lead to fears of cancer.
The appropriate approach is to discuss individual risks, screening decisions, and persistent symptoms with a qualified healthcare professional.
The Bottom Line
At 83, former President Joe Biden is continuing treatment for advanced prostate cancer while adapting his public schedule to the realities of his illness.
His November 8 health update suggests that treatment remains encouraging from his doctors’ perspective, but he has acknowledged that the disease sometimes limits his activities.
His experience is a reminder that prostate cancer can develop silently and, in some cases, progress before obvious symptoms appear.
The most important lesson for men is not to wait for severe symptoms before discussing prostate health with a doctor.
Understanding personal risk factors, considering appropriate screening, and investigating persistent changes can all support earlier diagnosis and informed treatment decisions.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Prostate cancer screening and treatment decisions should be made with a qualified healthcare professional.
