Table of Contents
- Treatment Milestone Reached
- Biden’s Cancer Journey So Far
- Understanding Prostate Cancer
- Public and Political Response
- What Comes Next?
- Sources
Biden Completes Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has completed a course of radiation therapy for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, according to his spokeswoman. The 82-year-old ex-commander-in-chief began treatment last month after it was revealed the cancer had spread to his bones.
On Monday, Biden’s daughter Ashley shared a heartfelt video of him ringing the ceremonial bell at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia—a symbolic gesture marking the end of a major phase of cancer treatment.
“Rung the Bell! Thank you to the incredible doctors, nurses, and staff at Penn Medicine,” Ashley Biden wrote on social media.
Biden’s Cancer Journey So Far
Biden’s health struggles are not new. In May 2025, his office announced the diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer. Since then, he has undergone both hormone therapy and targeted radiation treatment.
This latest development adds to a long list of health issues the former president has faced, including a brain aneurysm in 1988 and multiple skin cancer removals—most recently in September 2025, when cancerous lesions were excised from his forehead.
Despite his age and medical history, Biden has maintained a relatively active public presence, though his treatment schedule has understandably limited appearances.
Understanding Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, especially those over 65. When it spreads beyond the prostate gland—often to bones or lymph nodes—it’s classified as metastatic.
Standard treatments include hormone therapy (to suppress testosterone, which fuels cancer growth), radiation, chemotherapy, and newer targeted therapies. Radiation therapy, like the kind Biden received, is often used to shrink tumors and relieve pain in bone metastases.
Public and Political Response
News of Biden’s treatment completion was met with bipartisan expressions of support. Political allies and even some critics took to social media to wish him continued recovery.
Given Biden’s potential influence in the 2028 election cycle—even if not as a candidate—his health remains a topic of national interest. Analysts note that while he’s not currently running for office, his role as a Democratic elder statesman keeps his well-being in the public eye.
What Comes Next?
While Biden has completed this round of radiation therapy, his spokeswoman Kelly Scully declined to confirm whether his overall treatment plan is finished. Hormone therapy for metastatic prostate cancer can continue for months or even years.
Medical experts caution that “completing a course” doesn’t always mean the cancer is cured—especially in advanced cases. Instead, the goal is often long-term management and quality of life.
For now, the Biden family appears focused on gratitude and privacy. The bell-ringing moment, widely shared online, offered a rare glimpse of resilience amid a difficult chapter.
