Former United States president Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has progressed beyond his bones and is causing him significant pain, according to his son, Hunter Biden.
Hunter Biden disclosed the latest development in an interview with the BBC, describing his father’s condition as “very painful” and “very debilitating”.
The 83-year-old former president was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in May 2025, shortly after leaving the White House. His diagnosis had already revealed that the cancer had spread to his bones.
Hunter said the disease had now progressed further, although he did not provide specific details about which additional parts of his father’s body had been affected.
The disclosure provides one of the most serious public updates on Biden’s health since his cancer diagnosis.
Despite the illness, Biden has continued to make occasional public appearances and remain involved in political and public affairs. He has also been working on his memoirs.
Biden’s spokesperson confirmed in May 2025 that the former president had prostate cancer with bone metastasis. The cancer was described as hormone-sensitive, meaning it could be treated with hormone therapy, although the disease was considered serious.
Biden subsequently underwent radiation and hormone treatment.
Hunter said watching his father deal with the disease had been difficult for the family. He indicated that Biden rarely complains about his suffering, despite the severity of the condition.
The latest health update comes as Biden remains a figure of considerable interest in US politics. His age and health were major issues during his presidency and became particularly prominent during the 2024 election campaign.
Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race after a poor debate performance against Republican candidate Donald Trump, who subsequently won the election.
Biden served as the 46th US president from 2021 to 2025 and was previously vice-president under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017.
His cancer diagnosis also carries a deeply personal dimension for the Biden family. His eldest surviving son, Beau Biden, died from brain cancer in 2015 at the age of 46.
The latest disclosure has renewed attention on the former president’s health as he continues treatment for an advanced disease that his family has described as a long-term battle.
