Washington: Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasised to his bones, his office confirmed on Sunday. The 82-year-old Democrat, who served as the 46th president until stepping down earlier this year, is currently reviewing treatment options with his medical team.

According to a statement released by his office, Biden sought medical advice after experiencing urinary symptoms. Further examination revealed a prostate nodule, and subsequent tests confirmed a diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer. The statement noted that the cancer is hormone-sensitive, a factor which allows for "effective management" despite the disease’s aggressive nature.

The cancer was assigned a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) — the highest classification for prostate cancer severity, according to the American Cancer Society. This suggests that the cancer cells are highly abnormal and likely to grow and spread rapidly.

Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, Biden is reportedly in good spirits. “The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians,” the statement said.

Political figures across the spectrum have expressed their support. Former President Donald Trump, a long-time rival who has frequently questioned Biden’s cognitive abilities, responded with uncharacteristic warmth. Posting on his platform Truth Social, Trump said he was “saddened” by the news. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery,” he wrote.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic nominee after Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race, also voiced her support. “Joe is a fighter,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter). “I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”

Biden’s presidency was marked by constant scrutiny over his age and health, especially after a faltering debate performance against Trump last year prompted concerns about his mental acuity. The backlash led him to suspend his re-election bid, paving the way for Harris to stand in his place — though she ultimately lost to Trump in the general election.

Barack Obama, under whom Biden served as vice president, praised his former running mate's dedication to cancer research. "Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe," Obama wrote on X. “I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace.”

Biden has long had a deeply personal connection to the fight against cancer. His eldest son, Beau Biden, died in 2015 aged 46 from an aggressive brain cancer. That loss profoundly shaped Biden’s life and political priorities. During Obama’s administration, Biden was tasked with leading the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative — a national campaign to accelerate cancer research.

"It's personal for me," Biden said at the time. "But it's also personal for nearly every American... We all know someone who has had cancer, or is fighting to beat it."

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States. While it is often treatable when caught early, it remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Hormone therapy, which Biden is expected to receive, can slow the progression of the disease but does not offer a cure.

Meanwhile, a Senate report published earlier this month revealed that the Trump administration had cut federal cancer research funding by 31 percent in the first quarter of 2025, drawing criticism from medical experts and advocacy groups.

In Washington, residents expressed sympathy for the former president. Ariale Booker, whose mother and grandmother both died of cancer, called the news "heartbreaking." Speaking to AFP, she added, “His last years, his life’s going to be really hard.”