Hunter Biden has shared a difficult update on his father Joe Biden’s stage 4 prostate cancer battle, saying it is “really sad to watch.” Speaking to BBC’s ‘Newsnight’ in an interview aired on August 7, Hunter said the former US president’s cancer has spread and described the disease as “very painful” and “very debilitating.”
The Biden family first announced Joe’s diagnosis in May 2025, saying the cancer had metastasized to the bone and was classified as aggressive. At the time, the family said it appeared to be hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management.
In October 2025, a spokesperson said Joe Biden was undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment. Former first lady Jill Biden has since said her husband is “doing OK,” but added that, because the cancer had spread to his bones, he would likely live with it for the rest of his life.
Hunter said his father remains the “center” of the Biden family, but added that the former president rarely complains about his pain or symptoms. “I wish he would complain more,” Hunter said.
Indeed, the update offers a stark reminder that prostate cancer should never be ignored, especially when it is diagnosed at an advanced stage. So, what exactly is prostate cancer, what are its warning signs, and how is it treated?
Click through and find out more about one of the most common cancers in men worldwide.