Joe Biden shares health update after prostate cancer diagnosis while issuing warning to others

September 8, 2026 - 20:40

Former President Joe Biden is sharing a personal health milestone, revealing that the radiation therapy he underwent for prostate cancer last fall has proven successful. In a statement meant to encourage proactive medical care, Biden said the treatment "worked as intended" and took the opportunity to push other men toward having frank conversations with their doctors about screening for the disease.

The update comes months after his initial diagnosis became public. Biden framed his experience not as a scare story, but as a reminder that early detection often makes all the difference. He stressed that the decision to get checked, while sometimes uncomfortable or easy to put off, is one that can save lives. His message was direct: do not wait for symptoms to appear before asking about prostate-specific antigen tests or other screening options.

By speaking openly about his own path, Biden aims to strip away some of the stigma or hesitation that keeps men from addressing their health. He acknowledged that many men avoid the topic entirely, often out of fear or embarrassment. But his own case, he noted, shows that catching the issue early allowed for a straightforward treatment plan with a positive outcome.

The former president's remarks serve as a public service reminder, especially for men over a certain age or those with a family history of the disease. He did not go into graphic detail about his symptoms or daily side effects, but instead kept the focus on the simple act of scheduling an appointment. His tone was practical and reassuring, not alarmist.

Biden also thanked the medical teams who guided him through the process and expressed gratitude for the support he received. He closed by repeating his core ask: talk to a healthcare provider, understand the risks, and take action. For him, the hardest part was not the treatment itself, but making the call to get checked in the first place.