Breaking News: Former U.S. President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Aggressive Prostate Cancer at 82, Months After Leaving Office, He Says ‘I’m Determined to Fight This with All I’ve Got,’

Former U.S. President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Aggressive Prostate Cancer at 82: A New Health Battle Emerges

May 18, 2025 – 9:13 PM WAT
In a sobering announcement that has sent ripples across the nation, former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, just months after leaving office. The news, shared by Pop Base on X at 20:05 UTC on May 18, 2025, comes on the heels of a routine physical exam that initially revealed a small nodule in Biden’s prostate, as reported by ABC News on May 13, 2025. At 82 years old, Biden—who made history as the oldest sitting U.S. president during his tenure—now faces a significant health challenge, adding to a lifetime marked by both personal and medical trials.

A Diagnosis Following a Routine Exam

The journey to this diagnosis began earlier this month when a routine physical exam uncovered a small nodule in Biden’s prostate. According to ABC News, a spokesperson confirmed the finding on May 13, 2025, noting that further tests were needed to determine the nature of the growth. Just five days later, the results confirmed the worst: an aggressive form of prostate cancer, a disease that affects approximately 1 in 9 men in the U.S., with 60% of cases occurring after age 65, as per Healthline’s 2023 data. Prostate cancer, when aggressive, can spread rapidly to other parts of the body, often requiring intensive treatments such as surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy, though it is not considered curable in such forms.

The New York Times, in a May 14, 2025, article, noted that some doctors were surprised the nodule was found at all, given Biden’s age. Dr. Scott Eggener, quoted in the piece, questioned why a manual prostate exam was performed in the first place, given that such screenings are less common for men over 80 unless specific symptoms are present. However, the discovery proved critical, as aggressive prostate cancer can progress quickly if undetected, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Biden’s Health History: A Pattern of Challenges

This is not Biden’s first encounter with cancer. Before entering office in 2021, he underwent Mohs surgery to remove several non-melanoma skin cancers, a procedure that successfully eradicated the cancerous tissue, as confirmed by White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor at the time. In February 2023, while still in office, Biden had a cancerous lesion removed from his chest, identified as basal cell carcinoma, another non-melanoma skin cancer. These prior interventions, detailed in reports from NPR and al.com, underscore a pattern of health challenges for the former president, who has also faced scrutiny over his age and fitness for office throughout his political career.

Biden’s presidency, which began on January 20, 2021, when he was 78 years and 61 days old, made him the oldest person ever inaugurated as U.S. president. His age became a focal point during his term, with critics—most notably former President Donald Trump—frequently questioning his mental and physical health, often labeling him “Sleepy Joe” and making unverified claims of dementia, as noted in a Wikipedia entry updated on May 18, 2025. Despite these criticisms, Biden completed his term, though he suspended his 2024 re-election campaign in July of that year amid pressure from within his party over electability concerns tied to his age and health.

Public Reaction: A Mix of Concern and Controversy

The announcement of Biden’s diagnosis has elicited a wide range of reactions on social media, particularly on X, where the Pop Base post garnered significant attention. Some users expressed genuine concern and support, with @domiii (@horejsiii) writing, “he’s faced a lot throughout his life, and I hope he gets through this with support and love around him.” Others, like @Concrete_Josh, shared emotional reactions, posting, “OMG Joe Biden noooooo,” accompanied by a meme reflecting shock.

However, the platform also revealed a darker side of public discourse. Comments such as @themluvvash’s “We wish it was trump” and @bornthisphag’s “why doesnt this happen to *” highlighted the polarized political climate, with some users directing vitriol toward Biden’s successor, Donald Trump, who returned to the presidency in 2025 after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. @erynsbloodline (@PopBase) urged the outlet to “turn off the comments bc ik people are going to be nasty,” a prediction that proved accurate as political divides fueled insensitive remarks alongside messages of support.

What Lies Ahead: Treatment and Prognosis

Prostate cancer treatment varies depending on its stage and aggressiveness. According to the Cleveland Clinic, aggressive forms often require a combination of therapies, including surgery to remove the prostate gland (prostatectomy), radiation therapy, or hormone therapy to slow the cancer’s growth. In some cases, if the cancer has spread, treatments like chemotherapy or immunotherapy may be necessary. The Gleason score and cancer staging—tools used to assess the cancer’s severity—will likely play a crucial role in determining Biden’s treatment plan. A biopsy, the only definitive way to diagnose prostate cancer and assess its aggressiveness, would have been conducted following the nodule discovery, potentially involving genetic testing to identify specific mutations that could guide treatment, as noted in the Cleveland Clinic’s overview.

While no official statement from Biden or his team was included in the Pop Base post, a spokesperson previously addressed health-related concerns in the ABC News report, emphasizing that Biden has historically relied on his medical team to navigate such challenges. Given his prior experiences with cancer, Biden is likely to approach this diagnosis with a similar resolve, supported by top-tier medical care. However, the aggressive nature of the cancer raises questions about his prognosis, particularly at 82, an age when recovery from major medical interventions can be more complex.

A Legacy of Resilience

Joe Biden’s life has been marked by resilience in the face of adversity, from personal tragedies—such as the loss of his first wife and daughter in a 1972 car accident and the death of his son Beau from brain cancer in 2015—to political and health challenges. His presidency, though fraught with debates over his age and health, included significant legislative achievements, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, which addressed climate change and healthcare costs. Yet, his decision to step aside in 2024, following pressure from within the Democratic Party, reflected the toll that age-related concerns had taken on his political career, as detailed in the Wikipedia entry.

Now, as Biden confronts this aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis, his story takes on a new chapter—one that will test his strength once more. While the road ahead may be uncertain, Biden’s history suggests he will face this challenge with the same determination that has defined his life. For now, the nation watches, some with hope and others with trepidation, as the former president navigates this deeply personal battle.

Sources:

• Pop Base X Post, May 18, 2025
• ABC News, “Small nodule found in Joe Biden’s prostate during recent physical,” May 13, 2025
• The New York Times, “What the ‘Small Nodule’ Found on Biden’s Prostate Could Mean for a Man’s Health,” May 14, 2025
• Cleveland Clinic, “Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment,” May 9, 2017
• Wikipedia, “Age and health concerns about Joe Biden,” May 18, 2025
• Healthline, Prostate Cancer Statistics, 2023