Former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has spread beyond his bones, his son Hunter Biden revealed in a BBC interview broadcast Friday. Hunter described the cancer as “very painful” and “very debilitating,” marking the first public disclosure of the disease’s progression since Biden’s initial diagnosis in May 2025.
“The cancer has spread, metastasised into his bones and further,” Hunter Biden told BBC Newsnight, becoming emotional as he discussed his father’s health. “It’s very painful and it’s very debilitating.”
Biden, now 83, was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer on May 16, 2025, following a routine medical exam that revealed a prostate nodule. His office announced the diagnosis on May 18, describing it as an aggressive form of the disease. Within days, it was disclosed that the cancer had already spread to his bones.
The initial bone metastasis marked a significant development, as prostate cancer that spreads beyond the prostate itself becomes substantially harder to treat. According to medical experts, the average survival after a new metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis is about five to six years, though outcomes vary widely based on treatment response and individual factors.
In response to the diagnosis, Biden began aggressive treatment. By October 2025, his office confirmed he was undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment for the cancer. He completed a course of radiation therapy on October 20, 2025, marking what his team called a significant milestone in his care.
Hunter Biden’s BBC interview, conducted in early August 2026, represents the most detailed public account of his father’s current health status. In the emotional discussion, Hunter acknowledged the toll the disease has taken on the former president, saying “it’s really sad to watch.” He also reflected on Biden’s resilience, noting that his father “remains politically engaged and determined to continue speaking publicly.”
The revelation comes as Biden has maintained a public presence despite his diagnosis. Last month, his wife Jill Biden disclosed that she had noticed symptoms before the formal diagnosis, citing urinary issues that prompted medical testing. Biden’s health challenges also include skin cancer; he underwent Mohs surgery in September 2025 to remove basal cell carcinoma lesions from his forehead and other areas.
Hunter Biden also used the BBC interview to address other major topics, including his controversial presidential pardon issued by his father in December 2024. He acknowledged the pardon was “not good” for the American people or his father’s legacy, though he expressed gratitude for his father’s decision. Hunter ruled out any interest in seeking elected office himself, saying he plans to focus on advocacy around addiction and recovery.
Sources
- BBC — Hunter Biden’s wide-ranging interview with BBC Newsnight, discussing his father’s cancer progression, the presidential pardon, and his own future plans
- The New York Times — Hunter Biden’s statement that his father’s cancer has metastasized beyond bones and is very painful and debilitating
- The Guardian — Reporting on Hunter Biden’s BBC interview and his father’s ongoing cancer battle
- NBC News — Timeline of Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis and his radiation therapy treatment beginning in October 2025
- Reuters — Confirmation of Biden’s radiation and hormone therapy treatment for prostate cancer
- MD Anderson Cancer Center — Medical context on metastatic prostate cancer survival rates and prognosis
