Joe Biden has given a health update more than a year after he was diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer.
The 83-year-old former US president said his doctors remain encouraged by his response to treatment, but revealed that the illness would prevent him from taking part in as many events promoting his forthcoming memoir, Promise Me, America, as he had hoped.
“While writing the book, I was diagnosed with cancer, a disease known all too well to millions of Americans and their families,” Mr Biden said in a statement shared on Twitter/X.
“My doctors continue to be encouraged by how I’ve responded to treatment. And the prayers and kind words and well wishes from so many of you have meant more to me and Jill and our family than you can ever know,” he added.
Mr Biden, who was diagnosed in May 2025, said his condition varied from day to day but had not stopped him from continuing with his work.
“Some days are better than others. It hasn’t stopped me. But sometimes it slows me down,” he said. “What that means is, unfortunately, I won’t be able to do as many conversations about my book as I’d hoped.”
He said he remained hopeful that the book would speak for itself, and cited advice from his father as he looked ahead: “Champ, when you get knocked down, get up.”
Earlier this summer, Dr Jill Biden said her husband would “forever live with cancer”, while his son Hunter Biden said the cancer had spread.
