Joe Biden Had Prostate Cancer While President, His COVID Advisor Says

Ezekiel Emanuel, an oncologist and professor who served as a COVID-19 advisor in the Biden administration, said Tuesday that former President Joe Biden “probably” had prostate cancer at the start of his presidency.

Newsweek reached out to Emanuel for comment.

Why It Matters

Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer with metastasis to the bone, just days after those close to the ex-president revealed that he was recently evaluated for a “small nodule” discovered on his prostate.

“Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support,” Biden wrote Monday in a post on X, formerly Twitter, accompanied by a selfie of the former president and his wife, former first lady Dr. Jill Biden.

What To Know

Emanuel told MSNBC Morning Joe’s Joe Scarborough on Monday that although Biden’s diagnosis is new to the public, he’s likely been dealing with it since the beginning of his presidential term more than four years ago.

“I just want to stop you here,” Scarborough said. “So, this is not speculation. If you have prostate cancer that has spread to the bone, then he most certainly–you are saying had it when he was president of the United States.”

“Oh, yeah,” Emanuel responded. “He did not develop it in the last 100, 200 days. He had it while he was president. He probably had it at the start of his presidency in 2021. Yes, I don’t think there’s any disagreement about that.”

Emanuel, who has authored 15 books and contributed to over 300 scientific articles, was named in November 2020 as one of 16 members of Biden’s Covid-19 Advisory Board. Prior, Emanuel advised the Clinton and Obama administrations on health care reform.

Biden’s personal office said the former president was seen for the prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.

On Friday, his diagnosis was characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5). Prostate cancers are given a score called a Gleason score that measures, on a scale of 1 to 10, how the cancerous cells look compared with normal cells.

When prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it often spreads to the bones. Metastasized cancer is much harder to treat than localized cancer because it can be hard for drugs to reach all the tumors and completely root out the disease.

This is not the first time Biden has faced a cancer diagnosis.

In 2023, he underwent a procedure to remove a lesion with cancerous tissue from his chest. That lesion was completely removed and required no further treatment.

Biden’s eldest son, Beau Biden, died in 2015 at age 46 of glioblastoma, a deadly form of brain cancer.

In light of the new diagnosis, a video unearthed from 2022 from a speech about pollution in Massachusetts shows Biden discussing how pollution impacts public health. He says, “That’s why I—and so damn many other people I grew up with—have cancer.”

A White House spokesperson at the time explained that what Biden was referring to in the off-script statement was his non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosis. This skin cancer had been removed at the time of the speech.

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Sunday: “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis,” he wrote in the post. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”

Former President Barack Obama on X: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family. Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, wrote on X: “I’m sorry to see this news. Cancer is truly awful. My Dad passed away in 2021 with cancer. Prays for Joe Biden and his family.”

Former Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair Jaime Harrison on X: “Keeping my friend and my President ⁦@JoeBiden in my prayers! May God keep and heal you Mr. President!”

What Happens Next

Biden and his family are reviewing treatment options by his physicians.

Typical strategies for treating metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer include hormone therapy to suppress testosterone—the hormone that fuels the cancer’s growth. Additional therapies could involve chemotherapy, radiation for bone lesions, or newer targeted approaches depending on the patient’s overall condition and treatment response.