Biden’s cancer spread to bones, causing severe pain, says son

Former US President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has progressed and spread to his bones and other parts of his body, causing him significant pain and physical debilitation, his son Hunter Biden said.

Speaking in an emotional BBC interview on Friday (August 7), Hunter Biden said it was difficult to watch his father endure the effects of the disease. He said the cancer had metastasized “into his bones and further,” describing the condition as extremely painful and debilitating.

Hunter said he wished his father would speak more openly about his pain rather than quietly endure it. Despite his worsening health, however, Biden remains engaged with public issues and continues to speak on matters he considers important, his son said.

Biden, 83, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in May 2025, shortly after leaving the White House. His office said at the time that the cancer had already spread to his bones and was hormone-sensitive, allowing doctors to pursue treatment to manage the disease.

The diagnosis has renewed attention on Biden’s health following years of scrutiny over his age and physical condition. He became the oldest person to serve as US president, and concerns about his fitness intensified after his poor performance in a 2024 debate against Donald Trump, which was followed by his withdrawal from the presidential race.

The former president has continued to make occasional public appearances and political remarks despite his illness. His family has described the period since his diagnosis as deeply difficult, while his wife, Jill Biden, has said he is living with a condition that is expected to require long-term management.

Biden is also expected to publish a memoir, Promise Me, America, following the 2026 midterm elections.