Hunter Biden Says Joe Biden’s Prostate Cancer Has Spread Further and Grown More Painful
Hunter Biden has offered one of the most personal and somber updates yet on his father’s health, revealing that former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has progressed beyond its earlier stage and is now causing significant physical suffering. In a wide-ranging interview with BBC Newsnight that aired on Friday, August 8, 2026, the younger Biden described watching his 83-year-old father endure the disease as “really sad” and emotionally difficult for the family.
“The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further,” Hunter Biden told host Paddy O’Connell. “It’s very painful and it’s very debilitating in many respects.” He added that he wishes his father would complain more about the discomfort because “it’s not good.” At moments during the conversation, Hunter appeared emotional, pausing to clear his throat while discussing the toll the illness has taken. “Cancer is really hard,” he said. “It’s really sad to watch.”
Despite the advancing disease, Hunter emphasized that his father remains determined to stay engaged with the issues he cares about. “He’s still out there, he’s still doing his thing,” Hunter said. “He so believes in this country, and as long as he’s alive, I promise you he’s going to continue to fight.” He described Joe Biden as the enduring center of the family — “the best father, the best husband, the best grandfather” — whose presence continues to anchor those around him even as the illness progresses.
Joe Biden first publicly disclosed his diagnosis in May 2025, less than four months after leaving the White House. At the time, his office announced that doctors had found an aggressive form of prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 9. The cancer had already metastasized to the bones, classifying it as Stage 4. Officials noted then that the disease appeared hormone-sensitive, which opened pathways for treatment. Biden subsequently underwent radiation therapy and hormone treatment. A spokesman confirmed in late 2025 that he had completed a course of radiation at a Philadelphia facility.
The latest comments from Hunter indicate that the cancer has continued to advance despite those interventions. Medical experts note that once prostate cancer reaches the bones, it is generally considered incurable, though treatments can slow progression, manage symptoms, and extend quality of life. Prostate cancer is often slow-growing in its early stages and can remain undetected for years, particularly in older men who are no longer routinely screened after a certain age. By the time symptoms become pronounced or the disease spreads, management rather than cure becomes the primary focus.
Jill Biden has also spoken candidly in recent days about the reality of living with the diagnosis. In a podcast interview with Kelly Ripa earlier this week, the former first lady said her husband “will forever live with cancer.” She explained that while some prostate cancers can be treated effectively with radiation or other approaches, the spread to the bones changes the long-term outlook. “It’s constant. It’s daily. And I think it’s challenging,” she said, describing ongoing monitoring every three months along with medication. Jill Biden noted that her husband had been waking multiple times at night with urinary symptoms before the diagnosis was made, and she had raised concerns with physicians while he was still in office.
The family’s openness about the disease comes against the backdrop of years of public scrutiny over Joe Biden’s health and fitness. During his presidency, questions about his age, energy levels, and cognitive sharpness were frequent. Those concerns intensified after his widely criticized debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024, which accelerated his decision to withdraw from the race. In the BBC interview, Hunter reflected on that debate, saying he watched it alone and was shocked by his father’s appearance. He suggested that the cancer, diagnosed nine months later, may have already been affecting him in ways the family did not yet understand. “I’ve never seen him with kind of the hundred-yard stare that he had,” Hunter recalled.
Hunter also addressed the personal strain his own struggles with addiction and legal troubles placed on his father. When asked whether those difficulties had worsened Joe Biden’s health over the years, he answered directly: “Of course I did.” He described his father as someone who never gave up on him, even when the stress was visible. That loyalty, Hunter suggested, came at a cost.
The interview was not limited to health matters. Hunter discussed the controversial presidential pardon his father issued in December 2024, covering federal charges related to tax and gun offenses. He acknowledged that the decision was “not fair” and “not good” for the country, the Constitution, or his father’s legacy, while expressing deep gratitude. He also ruled out any interest in seeking elected office himself. These remarks added layers to a conversation that was otherwise dominated by the family’s private battle with serious illness.
Joe Biden has continued limited public appearances since leaving office. He has spoken at Democratic events and participated in ceremonial occasions, including the dedication of the Barack Obama Presidential Center. Hunter’s account portrays a man still driven by a sense of purpose even as physical limitations increase. The former president’s office has not issued a detailed response to the latest comments, with a spokesman declining to comment on the interview.
Advanced prostate cancer presents a complex medical picture. Treatments such as hormone therapy aim to reduce testosterone that fuels cancer growth, while radiation can target specific areas of spread. Pain management becomes increasingly important as the disease affects the bones. Survival rates vary widely depending on the extent of metastasis, the patient’s overall health, and response to therapy. At 83, Biden faces the additional challenges that age brings to any serious illness.
For the Biden family, the disease has shifted from a sudden diagnosis to a chronic reality. Hunter’s willingness to speak publicly about the pain and emotional weight reflects both the closeness of the family and the difficulty of watching a parent decline. His description of his father as still fighting for the country he believes in offers a portrait of resilience alongside vulnerability.
The update arrives more than a year after the initial announcement and underscores how publicly visible figures and their families navigate private medical struggles under intense scrutiny. As Joe Biden continues treatment and selective public engagement, the statements from both his son and his wife provide the clearest picture yet of the physical and emotional demands the illness imposes. The family has made clear that while the cancer cannot be eradicated, their focus remains on managing it day by day while preserving the relationships and commitments that have defined their lives.
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