ZERO Prostate Cancer Statement on Former President Joe Biden Cancer Diagnosis

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- We are deeply saddened to learn Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Our thoughts and well wishes for strength and healing are with the Biden family as they navigate this incredibly difficult time.

According to a statement released Sunday by a family Spokesperson, President Biden's diagnosis includes a Gleason score of 9–indicating a highly aggressive cancer.

The Gleason score is a tool doctors use to assess prostate cancer aggressiveness based on how abnormal the cells look under a microscope. A score of 9 is among the most severe, and Biden's Spokesperson indicated that the cancer has metastasized to the bone.

"While this is certainly not good news, it is heartening to learn that Biden's cancer appears to be hormone sensitive, suggesting that it should be responsive to treatment with standard androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which lowers testosterone in the body–starving cancer cells of the fuel they need to survive," said ZERO Board of Directors Medical Chair, Dr. Alicia Morgans, a Genitourinary Medical Oncologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. "It's important for everyone to know that individuals with this diagnosis can live for many years, feeling well and maintaining a large majority of their normal activities despite undergoing cancer treatment."

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. Every 2 minutes, a man in the U.S. is diagnosed with prostate cancer. Every 15 minutes in America, a man dies from the disease.

"This moment is a sobering reminder that prostate cancer does not discriminate. It can affect anyone at any time," said Courtney Bugler, President and CEO of ZERO Prostate Cancer. "I encourage all men to take this news as a call to action, a sign to talk to their doctor about their risk for prostate cancer. Early detection through a simple PSA blood test can mean the difference between life and death."

For nearly 30 years, ZERO has been at the forefront of the battle against prostate cancer, providing essential resources, programs, services, and support to patients and families affected by this devastating disease. ZERO played a vital role in The Cancer Moonshot initiative launched in 2016 during Biden's term as Vice President, and earlier this year launched the most ambitious prostate cancer initiative to date in U.S. history—Blitz The Barriers—with a goal of saving 100,000 lives by 2035.

"Prostate cancer has become too big to ignore," said Bugler. "This year alone, over 300,000 men will be diagnosed with the disease, and more than 35,000 will lose their lives. With so many lives at stake, it's time to break down barriers to early detection, treatment, and survival.

To learn more about the PSA screening test for men, get information about both early and advanced-stage diagnosis, and access support resources for patients and caregivers, visit zerocancer.org.

About ZERO Prostate Cancer

ZERO Prostate Cancer (ZERO) is on a mission to improve and save lives from prostate cancer through advocacy, education, awareness, and support. Formerly known as the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, ZERO was founded in 1996 to stand up for people impacted by prostate cancer. Today, ZERO serves as the nation's leading prostate cancer organization, advancing a future where prostate cancer detection is early, support is unwavering, and care is accessible to all. For over 30 years, ZERO has led the way in prostate cancer advocacy, screenings, and partnerships, successfully unlocking funding toward breakthrough discoveries, treatments, and lifesaving access to care. 

As the nation's #1 provider of prostate cancer resources, programs, and services, ZERO has supported millions of people at-risk or diagnosed, and their families. As the voice of the prostate cancer community, ZERO's urgent focus on breaking barriers to survival—by closing gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and care—brings critical attention to those most likely to be impacted by this disease. Learn more at ZEROcancer.org

MEDIA CONTACT:
Steph Johnson
Vice President Communications
Zero Prostate Cancer
[email protected]

SOURCE ZERO Prostate Cancer