Hunter Biden, the son of former US President Joe Biden, said his father’s cancer had worsened and spread to his bones and other parts of his body despite receiving treatment, describing his condition as painful and debilitating, but stressing that his father “is still strong” and continues to stay active.
Cancer spreads despite treatment
Hunter Biden said in an interview with the BBC’s Newsnight programme broadcast on Friday that “the cancer has spread and metastasized to the bones and other areas.”
It’s a very painful thing, and very debilitating in many ways, but he’s still strong. He continues to stay active... and he believes deeply in this country.
Hunter appeared emotional at times during the interview, saying: “It’s really a difficult and sad thing to watch.”
Diagnosed in 2025
Joe Biden announced in May 2025, four months after leaving office, that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had spread to his bones.
Biden later began receiving radiation and hormone therapy, and said last month, while announcing the publication of his memoirs, that the treatment was going “well.”
Previous questions about his health
The developments come after Biden’s health raised questions during 2024, when he was 81 and running for a second presidential term.
Biden later withdrew from the race following his televised debate with his Republican rival, Donald Trump, in June 2024, amid pressure from the Democratic Party. Then-Vice President Kamala Harris replaced him as the party’s candidate in the election, before Trump defeated her.
