Biden’s Aggressive Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Treatment Hope and What to Know

Former President Joe Biden has joined the over 300,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, with his office announcing an aggressive yet treatable form of the disease. Discovered during a routine exam, a small nodule in Biden’s prostate revealed a hormone-sensitive cancer, offering hope for effective management through hormone therapy.

Prostate cancer, the second-most common cancer among men, is on the rise, with cases climbing 3% annually since 2014. The American Cancer Society projects 313,780 new cases in 2025, with 35,770 fatalities. One in eight men will face this diagnosis in their lifetime, particularly those over 65—Biden, at 82, fits this high-risk group.

Hormone therapy, a cornerstone of treatment, works by blocking testosterone, which fuels cancer cell growth. This approach can slow or even halt the disease’s progression. Other options like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies are also available, tailored to the cancer’s stage and spread.

Early detection through regular screening, such as PSA tests, is critical, though not without controversy. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends men aged 55-69 discuss screening’s benefits and risks with their doctors, as false positives and overtreatment can occur. Biden’s case underscores the value of routine exams, as early-stage cancers often lack symptoms.

When caught early, prostate cancer boasts a 99% five-year survival rate. Even regional spread maintains this high survival rate, but distant metastasis drops it to 37%. Biden’s prognosis, while serious, benefits from the cancer’s hormone sensitivity and early detection, with his team now exploring treatment paths.

As research advances, new screening methods, like non-invasive urine tests, promise greater precision. For now, Biden’s diagnosis highlights both the challenges and hope in battling a disease that affects millions.