Doctors Say Joe Biden’s Prostate Cancer Is ‘Generally Incurable,’ Sounding Alarm for Millions of Men

Former President Joe Biden’s recent health announcement has sent ripples through both political and medical communities. On Sunday, Biden confirmed he had been diagnosed with an aggressive and advanced form of prostate cancer—one that, according to leading oncologists, is generally incurable once it has metastasized. The sobering diagnosis not only raises questions about Biden’s personal battle but also casts a broader light on a disease that silently affects one in eight men in the United States.

Now, physicians are warning that Biden’s condition could serve as a critical wake-up call for American men, especially those over 50, to take prostate health more seriously.

In a public statement issued by the former president’s office, it was disclosed that Biden sought medical attention last week after experiencing increased urinary symptoms. Doctors then discovered a suspicious prostate nodule. By Friday, a full diagnosis confirmed that the former president has a Grade Group 5 (Gleason Score 9) form of prostate cancer, meaning the disease had not only taken hold aggressively but had already spread to his bones—an indication of metastasis.

While the cancer is reportedly hormone-sensitive, allowing for certain treatment options, oncologists stress that its advanced state means the disease is unlikely to ever be fully cured.

Dr. Sandy Srinivas, a Stanford University medical oncologist not affiliated with Biden’s team, commented on the severity of the case. “What caught my attention is that it has spread outside the prostate. That means it's more advanced and, by definition, generally incurable,” she said. This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Arif Kamal, the Chief Patient Officer at the American Cancer Society, who confirmed that the condition's current stage would likely rule out any curative interventions.

Kamal emphasized, however, that “most people, even in their 80s, tolerate standard prostate cancer therapy pretty well,” suggesting Biden may still have years of relatively stable health with the right medical approach.

Hormone therapy, which either lowers or blocks testosterone—a hormone essential for prostate cancer growth—is expected to be central to Biden’s treatment plan. Kamal explained that such therapies can often stabilize the disease and even extend life for several years, especially if the cancer has metastasized primarily to bone, a site considered less immediately life-threatening than organs like the liver or lungs. “If it spreads and stays in the bones, generally it doesn't cause a ton of trouble.

Now, it can. But we have medications that help strengthen the bones and reduce complications,” Kamal noted.

Despite its reputation as a silent killer, prostate cancer is often slow-growing and highly treatable in its early stages. But Biden’s case highlights a concerning trend in prostate cancer diagnostics: late-stage detection. “In this last decade, we do see a lot of patients like President Biden where at their first presentation, they have the disease that’s already left the prostate and spread elsewhere,” said Dr. Srinivas.

This is partially due to ongoing debates over the effectiveness and necessity of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests, which are currently recommended yearly for most men starting at age 50 and for high-risk individuals starting at 45. Critics argue these tests may not always catch the cancer early enough, while others believe they are underused.

The Biden family is currently reviewing treatment options with his medical team, but they face a sobering reality: this is not a cancer that will be beaten, only managed. Biden, now in his 80s, joins the ranks of nearly 3.5 million American men living with prostate cancer—many of whom are facing similarly grim prognoses.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 313,000 new prostate cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2025 alone, accounting for about 15% of all new cancer diagnoses among men.

Prostate cancer typically originates in the outer cells of the prostate gland—known as acinar adenocarcinomas—and remains confined there for some time. However, when these abnormal cells begin dividing uncontrollably, they can eventually breach the gland’s boundaries and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, spreading to bones and other organs.

At this metastatic stage, the cancer is no longer considered curable, although various treatments can slow its progression.

Symptoms can be subtle or even absent in early stages, which contributes to late diagnoses. When symptoms do occur, they often mimic benign conditions like enlarged prostate, including frequent urination, difficulty urinating, or a persistent feeling that the bladder hasn’t emptied.

Blood in urine or semen and erectile dysfunction can also appear. Once the cancer has spread, patients might notice back, hip, or pelvic pain, and sometimes unexplained weight loss. This underscores the importance of regular screening, especially for high-risk populations like Black men or those with a family history of the disease.

Causes of prostate cancer remain largely unknown, though risk factors are well-documented. Age remains the most significant determinant, with most diagnoses occurring in men over 65. Genetics also plays a substantial role, as does ethnicity—non-Hispanic Black men are disproportionately affected. Lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise may also influence risk, though the extent of this correlation is still being researched.

Treatment for prostate cancer depends on the stage and aggressiveness of the disease. In early stages, options include active surveillance or “watchful waiting,” particularly for older men unlikely to live another 10 years. More aggressive or symptomatic cases may be treated with surgery (prostatectomy), radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or newer targeted therapies.

In Biden’s case, the hormone-sensitive nature of the cancer opens a viable path for long-term management through androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which reduces testosterone levels to slow cancer growth. However, ADT can come with significant side effects, including fatigue, bone thinning, and loss of muscle mass.

While the announcement of Biden’s illness has raised deep concern among supporters and medical professionals alike, it may also serve as a pivotal moment in prostate cancer awareness. The sheer visibility of the former president’s condition may spur a new wave of attention to male health and the often-overlooked dangers of late-stage cancer detection.

Already, advocacy groups have begun highlighting Biden’s case as a reminder that regular screening and early intervention are key to managing the disease effectively.

Biden’s public statement struck a tone of calm resolve. “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” the statement read. He emphasized that he and his family are weighing all treatment options carefully in coordination with his doctors.

Political allies and rivals alike have responded with messages of support. President Donald Trump, despite political divisions, released a short statement via a White House spokesperson wishing the former president “strength and healing.” Former President Barack Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris also conveyed private messages of encouragement to the Biden family, according to sources familiar with the matter.

But beyond the headlines, Biden’s diagnosis is already reshaping conversations around prostate cancer in the U.S. Medical institutions are seeing renewed interest in PSA testing, while public health officials are urging men—particularly those aged 50 and above—to take the issue seriously. Biden’s personal battle may very well reignite a national conversation about male-specific health risks and the urgent need for regular checkups in aging populations.

As Biden embarks on this new chapter marked by uncertainty, one thing is clear: the former president’s health journey is not just his own—it is a mirror reflecting a broader crisis in men’s health that has long remained in the shadows. And perhaps, in confronting this disease publicly, Biden has taken his most important step yet—not just as a former commander-in-chief, but as a patient and symbol for millions of men at risk.