Biden Says Prostate Cancer Treatment ‘Worked as Intended,’ Urges Men to Get Screened

Former President Joe Biden offered a personal health update this week, saying the prostate cancer treatment he received has controlled the disease, and used the moment to urge American men—particularly Black men and those with family histories—to get screened early.

In a statement posted to X to mark September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Biden said the radiation treatment he underwent last fall “worked as intended,” allowing him to continue his daily activities, including writing his memoir.

“I am deeply grateful to the doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who helped to control my cancer and who continue to take such good care of me,” Biden wrote. “Their skill, dedication, and compassion mean so much.”

The former president first revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis last spring, saying at the time that the disease had already spread to his bones, a detail he repeated in his latest statement: “More than 330,000 American men this year will hear the words we did last spring when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. By the time we found it, it had already spread to my bones.”

His message this week was part public update, part public-service announcement. Noting that prostate cancer caught early has a five-year survival rate close to 100 percent, Biden urged men not to delay conversations with their doctors about screening.

“So have the conversation with your doctor. Don’t put it off,” he wrote.

Biden offered specific screening guidance, aligning with broader medical recommendations: men at average risk should start the conversation around age 50 and, under current guidelines, get screened every two to four years. For Black men, he said the conversation should begin at 45 or earlier, citing stark disparities: “You are nearly 70% more likely to get this disease and 2 to 4 times more likely to die from it. Which is an outrage in the richest country in the world.”

For men whose father or brother had prostate cancer, Biden recommended starting at 45, and even earlier if more than one relative had been diagnosed.

The former president also thanked the medical professionals who cared for him and those who have kept him and his family in their prayers.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out and continues to keep me and my family in your prayers. We appreciate every single one of you,” he concluded.

Prostate Cancer Statistics and Disparities

Biden’s advice echoes what the American Cancer Society has long documented: prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men aside from skin cancer. It can strike at any age but becomes more likely with age, with most cases found in men older than 65.

The organization also highlights disproportionate risks among Black men, noting that men of African ancestry develop prostate cancer more often than other groups and often at younger ages. That aligns with the statistics Biden cited about higher incidence and mortality rates.

Biden’s public disclosure last spring that his cancer had spread to his bones underscored the seriousness of the disease even as he emphasized the importance of early detection. His treatment appeared to have succeeded in controlling the cancer, and his latest remarks suggest he remains focused on his post-presidential projects, especially memoir-writing, alongside his health maintenance.

The update comes as prostate cancer awareness campaigns pick up nationally each September, with doctors and advocacy groups using the month to encourage screening and education. Biden’s personal testimony adds a high-profile voice to the annual push, particularly for men who may otherwise postpone routine checkups.

The former president’s message did not provide additional clinical detail about his current prognosis beyond the success of the radiation treatment, but his tone was optimistic and his emphasis clear: early detection saves lives, and the biggest mistake is waiting.

Biden’s statement also carried a social-justice thread, framing the racial disparities in prostate cancer outcomes as a national failure, particularly given the resources of the United States.

While the White House did not immediately respond to requests for further comment, Biden’s public update serves as a reminder that even for former presidents, cancer can serve as a personal call to action—not only for one’s own health but for others who face similar risks.

For now, Biden appears to be forging ahead with his post-presidency, balancing ongoing medical follow-ups with writing and public engagements. His decision to go public with the details of his diagnosis and treatment stands in contrast to the private manner with which many public figures handle serious illness, and his willingness to discuss the gritty details of screening guidelines may encourage more men to take the step they might otherwise avoid.

As Prostate Cancer Awareness Month unfolds, the former president’s message is likely to amplify conversations in doctor’s offices and living rooms across the country, especially among the populations he singled out for higher risk.

Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/09/08/joe-biden-update-prostate-cancer-treatment-worked/