Former U.S. president Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has spread to other parts of his body and is causing him pain, his son Hunter Biden said in an interview, updating a diagnosis first disclosed in May 2025.
Family disclosure outlines worsening condition
In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC, Hunter Biden said the cancer had “metastasized into his bones and further,” and described the progression as both painful and debilitating. The former president, who is 83 years old, revealed the initial diagnosis in May 2025, less than four months after leaving the White House.
“The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further,”
Hunter Biden grew emotional as he spoke about the strain the diagnosis has placed on the family. He said his father remains active in public life, continuing to speak out on matters he cares about, and noted that the former president still “so believes in this country.”
Political context and fallout
Biden’s age and health were prominent issues during his final months in office and became focal points in public debate after he abandoned a bid for reelection following a high-profile debate with his successor. Critics have accused the president and his White House advisers of not fully disclosing the extent of his health problems while he was in office; those same concerns have continued to animate discussion among political commentators and voters.
Hunter Biden’s comments add new detail to the trajectory of a condition that was already public. They are likely to sharpen scrutiny from both critics and allies, and will be watched closely by political actors who assess leadership capacity and public candour in elected office.
What the family has said and what remains public
Beyond the BBC interview, public information about the former president’s treatment or prognosis remains limited. Hunter Biden’s remarks emphasised the emotional burden on the family and included an unusual plea for his father to be more openly demonstrative about his suffering.
- Hunter Biden described the diagnosis as “very sad to watch” and said the condition is “very painful and ... debilitating.”
- The former president continues to make public comments on issues important to him, according to his son.
- Biden has a memoir titled Promise Me, America scheduled for publication after the midterm elections.
The disclosure that the cancer has metastasized to the bones raises medical complexity and generally suggests a stage beyond localized disease. The interview did not elaborate on specific treatments or a prognosis.
| Detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| Age | 83 |
| Initial public diagnosis | May 2025 |
| New detail reported by son | Cancer has metastasized into his bones and further |
| Planned book | Promise Me, America (publication after midterms) |
Implications for public life and politics
The personal nature of the revelation adds to a wider conversation about transparency, the health of public officials and how medical information is communicated to the public. While the former president is no longer in office, his condition and continued public statements could influence political discourse and public perceptions, particularly among those who followed the debates about his age and capacity in the run-up to the 2024 election cycle.
Hunter Biden’s description does not change any official status or authority — it is a family disclosure about a private medical matter — but it does offer new, specific information about the former president’s health that will be of interest to journalists, supporters and critics alike.
Further updates will depend on statements from the Biden family or medical teams; the BBC interview remains the primary source for the newly reported details.
