Hunter Biden has given a sombre account of his father Joe Biden’s battle with advanced prostate cancer, describing the illness as painful and debilitating.
In an interview with the BBC published Friday, August 7, 2026, Hunter said the cancer had spread to Biden’s bones and beyond, making the disease increasingly difficult for the family to watch.
Hunter, Biden’s only surviving son, also described the former president as the centre of the family, praising him as the best father, husband and grandfather.
Biden’s cancer diagnosis was announced on May 18, 2025, four months after he left the White House. His office said the aggressive prostate cancer had already spread to his bones and carried a Gleason score of nine, indicating a high-grade tumour. The cancer was also described as hormone-sensitive.
The diagnosis followed medical examinations prompted by urinary symptoms and the discovery of a prostate nodule.
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Biden subsequently received hormone treatment and radiation, with his representatives confirming in October 2025 that he had undergone radiation therapy. He had earlier expressed optimism about his prognosis and treatment.
Former First Lady Jill Biden also addressed his health this week, saying he was doing “OK” but would have to continue managing the cancer through ongoing treatment and medical checks.
Biden’s health had already drawn intense scrutiny during the 2024 presidential campaign. He withdrew from the race on July 21, 2024, and endorsed then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost the November election to Donald Trump.
Biden left office on January 20, 2025, months before his cancer diagnosis became public.
The illness has a personal history for the Biden family. His eldest son, Beau, died from brain cancer in May 2015 at 46.
Hunter’s comments are not a formal medical update from Biden’s doctors but offer a rare insight into the former president’s experience with advanced cancer and its impact on his family.