Biden Reveals Details About His Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment

WASHINGTON—Former President Joe Biden on May 30 said that he had a “good” prognosis and that treatment was underway for his diagnosis with prostate cancer, following his first public appearance since the announcement.

Biden, 82, is the oldest living former president and was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer on May 18, according to a statement from his post-presidential office, which noted that the cancer—in its fourth stage—had spread to his bones.

On May 30, Biden appeared at Veterans’ Memorial Park in New Castle, Delaware—his longtime home, where he first ran for political office—to deliver a speech commemorating Memorial Day on May 26. In comments to reporters after the event, Biden said that his treatment for the cancer had begun.

“Well, the prognosis is good and, you know, we’re working on everything. It’s moving along, so I feel good,” said Biden. He said that he had decided on his treatment options, saying that “they are underway, and everybody … all the folks are very optimistic.”

Biden said that his treatment was “all a matter of taking a pill for the next six weeks,” though he did not offer details about that drug. “It’s not in any organ. My bones are strong. … I’m feeling good,” he added.

Biden did not address his diagnosis during his remarks. He paid tribute to the memory of veterans of the U.S. military and, in particular, honored his late son—former Delaware Attorney General Joseph Robinette “Beau” Biden III—who died from cancer on this day in 2015.

“For the Bidens, this day is the 10th anniversary of the loss of my son Beau, who spent a year in Iraq—and, to be honest, it’s a hard day,” Biden said, before acknowledging his grandson and Beau Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, who is named after Joe Biden’s second son, Robert Hunter Biden.

President Biden has frequently invoked the memory of his son. During his presidency, Biden delivered annual Memorial Day addresses at the amphitheater of Arlington National Cemetery, during which he mentioned Beau Biden’s cancer diagnosis.

He has said that Beau Biden was exposed to toxic “burn pits” on military bases, influencing his support for the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022, which increased benefits for veterans and their survivors for exposure to toxic substances while on military duty.

Additionally, Biden made brief comments on the state of America’s politics.

“Memorial Day is about something profound. Our politics have become so divided and so bitter. All the years I’ve been doing this, I never thought we would get to this point, but we are,” said Biden, adding, “Our troops don’t wear a uniform that says ‘I’m a Democrat’ or ‘I’m a Republican.’ It says ‘I’m an American.'”