Former US President Joe Biden’s office has clarified that he wasn’t diagnosed with prostate cancer before last week and had his last known blood test for the disease over a decade ago. This statement comes after US President Donald Trump expressed doubts over the timing of the diagnosis, reigniting questions about whether Biden misled the public about his health while in office.
Trump said he was “surprised” that the public wasn’t notified about Biden’s diagnosis “a long time ago”. “Why did it take so long? This takes a long time. It can take years to get this level of danger,” Trump told reporters at the White House. He added, “Somebody is not telling the facts, and that’s a big problem.”
Biden’s office confirmed that the former president was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had spread to his bones, with a Gleason score of 9, indicating an aggressive form of cancer. According to Adam Weiner, an urologic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, “It is entirely reasonable, albeit sad, that even a person of President Biden’s position may present with a new diagnosis of prostate cancer that is metastatic at his age.” Nick James, an expert in prostate cancer at The Institute of Cancer Research in London, finds the Biden camp’s account “plausible even if a bit unusual” since certain cancers can be missed in blood tests.
Key Facts About Biden’s Diagnosis
- Diagnosis Date: Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer on May 16, 2025, after evaluations for urinary symptoms.
- Cancer Type: Prostate cancer with metastasis to the bone, characterized as hormone-sensitive.
- Gleason Score: 9, indicating high-grade cancer.
- Treatment Options: Biden’s team is exploring treatment options, including hormone therapy.
The diagnosis has sparked debate, with some doctors questioning why it wasn’t detected earlier given Biden’s access to quality medical care. However, others note that regular screening isn’t recommended for men over 70 due to potential quality of life issues from unnecessary treatment. Biden’s age and health were significant concerns during his presidency and re-election campaign.