Joe Biden’s Cancer Spreads to His Bones as Son Reveals ‘Very Painful’ Health Struggle
Former U.S. President Joe Biden is facing a difficult stage in his battle with prostate cancer, with his son, Hunter Biden, revealing that the disease has spread to his bones and is now causing significant pain and debilitating symptoms. Speaking during an interview with the BBC on Friday, Hunter Biden provided a deeply personal update on his 83-year-old father’s condition, describing the situation as extremely difficult for both the former president and the entire family.
“It’s not good. The cancer has spread,” Hunter said, explaining that the disease has metastasized to Biden’s bones and beyond. He added that the condition has become “very painful” and “very debilitating in many respects.”
The revelation has renewed public attention on Biden’s health and the serious nature of advanced prostate cancer, while supporters and members of the public continue to express concern and send their well wishes to the former president.
Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis
Biden’s personal office first announced his prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025, revealing that doctors had discovered an aggressive form of the disease.
The former president subsequently began receiving treatment in Philadelphia as he and his medical team worked to manage the cancer. His latest public appearance was in June, and Hunter Biden acknowledged that watching his father’s health deteriorate has been emotionally painful for the family. “It’s really, really hard, and it’s really sad to watch,” Hunter said.
The disclosure offers a rare glimpse into the personal impact of the former president’s illness, particularly for a family that has faced intense public scrutiny throughout Biden’s political career.
How Prostate Cancer Can Spread to the Bones
Dr. Michael Dabrow, medical director of the Cancer Center at Paoli Hospital in Pennsylvania, explained that Biden’s situation reflects a serious complication that can occur with prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers affecting men. While some cases remain confined to the prostate and can be treated effectively, cancer cells can sometimes escape the original tumor and travel to other parts of the body.
According to Dabrow, the bones are the most common location for prostate cancer to spread.
“Even with good local treatment, sometimes those tumors escape from the prostate and go to the bones,” he explained.
When cancer spreads from its original location to another part of the body, it is known as metastatic cancer. In prostate cancer, metastatic disease commonly affects the bones, where tumors can cause pain and other complications.
Dabrow emphasized that cancer can sometimes spread despite the use of appropriate and advanced treatments. This is one reason why doctors closely monitor patients after diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment Is Still Possible After Metastasis
Although the spread of prostate cancer to the bones represents an advanced stage of the disease, it does not necessarily mean that treatment options are exhausted.
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Dabrow noted that doctors have several approaches available to patients whose prostate cancer has metastasized. These may include therapies designed to control the cancer, slow its progression and improve a patient’s quality of life.
Therapeutic radiation is among the treatments that may be used to help manage symptoms. Certain forms of radiation can target areas affected by cancer and help relieve pain and discomfort.
Treatment decisions, however, depend on the individual patient, the extent of the disease, previous treatments and overall health.
The Importance of Early Detection
Dabrow also used the discussion surrounding Biden’s illness to encourage men, particularly as they get older, to speak with their healthcare providers about prostate cancer screening.
Early detection can be important because identifying prostate cancer before it spreads may provide patients with more treatment options.
However, prostate cancer screening is not necessarily appropriate in exactly the same way for every man. Age, family history, overall health and individual risk factors can influence whether screening is recommended.
For that reason, men are encouraged to have conversations with their doctors about their personal risk and whether screening is appropriate for them.
A Difficult Time for the Biden Family
Beyond the medical implications, Biden’s diagnosis has become an emotional experience for his family.
Hunter Biden said seeing his father endure the disease has been particularly difficult, highlighting the reality that a serious cancer diagnosis affects not only the patient but also the people closest to them. Members of the public have also expressed sympathy for the former president and his family.
Emily Payne, who said she has also experienced stage 3 cancer, spoke about the wider impact of serious illness on families. “It takes its toll on the whole family,” Payne said, while expressing her support and best wishes for Biden and his loved ones.
Another member of the public, Sam Pendrak, similarly expressed sympathy, saying he hoped Biden was doing well amid the difficult circumstances.
As Joe Biden continues to receive medical care, attention surrounding his condition has shifted away from politics and toward the deeply personal reality of confronting an aggressive illness.
For the Biden family, the latest disclosure marks another painful chapter in a long public life, while for many others, it serves as a reminder of the importance of cancer awareness, medical care and conversations about early detection.
