Honestly, it’s been a while since Joe Biden was the main focus of every news cycle. But lately, people are asking about him again. They want to know the real story behind joe biden health today, especially now that he’s well into his post-presidency life.
It’s not just idle gossip anymore. There have been some pretty heavy medical updates since he left the White House in early 2025.
The biggest news broke back in May 2025. His personal office confirmed that the former president was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. This wasn't just a "wait and see" situation. It had already metastasized—basically, it spread to his bones.
Breaking Down the Diagnosis
When you hear "metastasized," it sounds scary. And it is. Doctors used something called a Gleason score to measure how aggressive it was. Biden’s score was a 9 out of 10. For context, anything from 8 to 10 is considered high-grade. It means the cells look very different from normal cells and are likely to grow and spread fast.
But here’s the thing: his team also noted the cancer was "hormone-sensitive."
What does that actually mean for him?
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Basically, the cancer cells still need male hormones—specifically testosterone—to grow. By using hormone therapy to block that supply, doctors can slow the whole thing down. It’s a common strategy for managing advanced prostate cancer in men his age.
The Treatment Plan Right Now
By October 2025, his medical team started a more intensive phase.
He’s been undergoing a combination of:
- Radiation therapy to target the specific areas where the cancer reached the bone.
- Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT), which is the "hormone treatment" everyone keeps talking about.
- Occasional procedures for other issues, like the surgery he had in late 2025 to remove skin cancer lesions from his forehead.
He’s 83 now. At that age, "aggressive" treatment is always a balancing act. You want to stop the cancer, but you don't want the treatment to ruin the patient's quality of life.
The Cognitive Conversation That Won't Die
You can't talk about joe biden health today without mentioning the elephant in the room. The cognitive stuff.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, there was constant back-and-forth about his mental sharpness. His former White House physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, repeatedly insisted Biden was "fit for duty." However, after Biden left office, things got complicated.
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In mid-2025, Dr. O’Connor was actually subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee.
Why? Because investigators wanted to know if the medical reports released while Biden was in office were, well, 100% transparent. Interestingly, during his testimony in July 2025, O’Connor reportedly pleaded the Fifth Amendment when asked about the timing of certain diagnoses. It’s fueled a lot of theories, but we have to stick to the records we have.
Independent experts, like Dr. Brett Osborn and Dr. Marc Siegel, have pointed out that chronic conditions—like the atrial fibrillation (A-fib) and sleep apnea Biden has dealt with for years—can sometimes mimic or exacerbate cognitive "fog."
Physical Mobility and Daily Life
If you’ve seen video of him lately, you’ve probably noticed he still has that stiff gait.
That’s not new. It’s mostly due to "wear and tear" spinal arthritis and a foot fracture from a few years back. He also deals with peripheral neuropathy in his feet, which is why his balance looks a little off sometimes. He’s been doing physical therapy for years to keep his core strength up.
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Despite the cancer diagnosis, he’s still been seen out and about. He made a public appearance on Memorial Day last year and has been spotted at his home in Delaware. He’s not "sequestered," but he’s definitely living a much quieter, more private life than he was a year ago.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of people think a stage 4 cancer diagnosis at 83 is an immediate "end of the road" scenario.
That's not necessarily true with prostate cancer.
Because it’s hormone-sensitive, men can sometimes live for years with managed metastatic disease. The goal of joe biden health today isn't necessarily a "cure"—it’s about management. Keeping the bone pain at bay and maintaining enough energy to spend time with family.
Key Takeaways for Families in Similar Spots
If you’re looking at these headlines because you have an older relative facing similar health hurdles, there are a few practical lessons here.
- Check the Gleason Score: If a loved one gets a prostate diagnosis, the Gleason score is the most important number for understanding the "speed" of the disease.
- Hormone Sensitivity is Key: Finding out if the cancer responds to hormone blockers changes the entire outlook from "grim" to "manageable."
- Second Opinions Matter: Especially with public figures, medical reports can be simplified. In your own life, always ask for the raw data from a biopsy.
- Balance Treatment and Life: At 80+, the side effects of radiation or heavy meds can be worse than the symptoms themselves. It’s always okay to ask a doctor, "What happens if we do nothing?"
Joe Biden is currently focused on this new medical reality. Between the radiation sessions and the ongoing hormone therapy, his schedule looks a lot different than it did in the Oval Office. It’s a reminder that even for the most powerful people in the world, health eventually becomes the only thing that matters.
Keep an eye on official statements from his post-presidential office for the most accurate updates. Avoid the hyper-partisan sites that tend to exaggerate or minimize the reality of his condition. The truth is usually found somewhere in the middle of the medical charts.