Former President Joe Biden Begins Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Shalena
Oct 12
4 min read

When news broke that former President Joe Biden had begun radiation therapy for prostate cancer, the world paused — not just because it’s a major health update about a former Commander-in-Chief, but because it’s another reminder that even presidents can’t out-run the battles of aging, illness, and mortality.

According to official reports confirmed by NBC News, Reuters, and The Guardian, Biden’s medical team has started a five-week radiation treatment plan, combined with ongoing hormone therapy, to combat his aggressive, hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer.

That’s a lot of medical terms. Let’s unpack it.

What We Know So Far

Joe Biden, now 82, has been under close medical care since his diagnosis in May 2025, when doctors confirmed that his prostate cancer had already spread to his bones — a condition called metastasis. This type of cancer isn’t curable, but it can often be controlled and managed through a combination of therapies.

Over the summer, Biden began hormone therapy — a treatment that essentially starves prostate cancer cells of the hormones they rely on to grow. But now, his doctors have added a new phase: targeted radiation therapy.

According to the Associated Press, this round of radiation will focus on the areas where cancerous cells are still active, aiming to slow the disease’s progression and relieve symptoms. His care team remains optimistic about maintaining Biden’s comfort and quality of life, even as they acknowledge the uphill battle.

Adding to the mix, Biden also underwent Mohs surgery in September to remove a form of skin cancer — showing that his medical management has become both proactive and intensive.

Understanding What “Aggressive” Really Means

Prostate cancer is graded using something called a Gleason score. Biden’s sits at a 9, the highest tier on the scale — meaning the cancer cells are fast-growing and likely to spread.

A Gleason 9 diagnosis, combined with bone metastases, puts him in Stage 4 territory. And while that sounds grim, advancements in cancer care have shifted the outlook. Many men live for years — even a decade or more — after diagnosis, depending on how their cancer responds to treatment.

The Dual Approach: Hormones + Radiation

This combination isn’t experimental — it’s strategic.

Hormone therapy cuts off the fuel supply (testosterone and other male hormones).
Radiation therapy acts like a precision strike, targeting the cancer cells that survived the hormone blockade.

Together, they form a one-two punch that can shrink tumors, slow progression, and extend survival time.

What This Means for His Health — and the Public Eye

Let’s be real: when a former president goes through something this serious, it’s not just personal — it’s political, emotional, and symbolic.

Even though Biden is no longer in office, the transparency around his health offers a rare look into how America deals with the intersection of power, privacy, and public concern. His age, 82, has long been a point of discussion — and now, his illness reopens those conversations about leadership, legacy, and the limits of human endurance.

In many ways, Biden’s openness about his diagnosis mirrors the approach of figures like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who battled cancer multiple times while remaining in public service. For both, it’s a story about resilience — but it’s also a call for the country to grapple with what it expects from aging leaders.

Beyond Politics: The Bigger Conversation

Let’s strip away the politics for a moment and talk about what this means on a human level.

1. Men’s Health Awareness

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men, and yet, many still skip screenings. The spotlight on Biden’s diagnosis might encourage men — especially those over 50 — to get their PSA levels checked regularly.

2. The Emotional Toll of Cancer

Whether you’re a president or a postal worker, cancer changes everything — your body, your relationships, your mindset. Biden’s quiet perseverance echoes what millions of families go through behind closed doors every day.

3. Radiation Therapy Isn’t a Small Thing

For the next several weeks, Biden will be in and out of treatment facilities, dealing with potential side effects like fatigue, loss of appetite, and bone pain. For someone his age, managing those symptoms while maintaining daily stability is no small feat.

A Moment of Reflection

There’s a strange mix of public empathy and political polarization that happens whenever a major public figure falls ill. Some people rally around them, while others see it through the lens of politics. But at the end of the day, this is an 82-year-old man fighting a serious disease — and that deserves compassion, not commentary.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It humbles the powerful, breaks the wealthy, and brings even the most iconic names to their knees. And yet, it also unites people in a universal truth: we all have an expiration date, but how we face it defines who we are.

What’s Next

Biden’s radiation therapy will likely last until mid-November, followed by months of close monitoring.
Doctors will track his PSA levels (a key marker for prostate cancer activity) and possibly re-scan affected bones to gauge treatment response.
He’ll continue hormone therapy — possibly indefinitely — as long as it keeps the cancer under control.

While the White House has not issued detailed updates on his day-to-day condition, sources describe him as “in good spirits” and “focused on family, faith, and staying strong.”

Joe Biden’s diagnosis isn’t just headline news. It’s a mirror held up to America’s conversations about aging, health, masculinity, and mortality.

It reminds us that behind every title — “President,” “Senator,” “Leader” — is a human being facing the same fears, treatments, and questions that millions of others do.

And maybe, just maybe, this moment will spark more men to take their health seriously. Because if a former president can face this fight head-on, there’s no reason any of us should wait to get checked.