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Former President Joe Biden has said he is “optimistic” and “feeling good” about his cancer treatment after announcing his prostate cancer diagnosis in May
Biden spoke about his cancer treatment for the first time as he attended a Memorial Day service in Delaware on May 30
“The expectation is we’re going to be able to beat this,” Biden told reporters, according to CNN
Former President Joe Biden says he is feeling “optimistic” since beginning his treatment for prostate cancer.
Biden discussed his treatment for the first time publicly since announcing his prostate cancer diagnosis as he attended a Memorial Day service in New Castle, Del., on Friday, May 30.
“Well, the prognosis is good, you know, we’re working on everything, it’s moving along. I feel good. All the folks are optimistic,” Biden told reporters after speaking at the service in footage captured by ABC News.
According to CNN, Biden shared that his treatment consists of him taking a daily pill over the next six weeks before starting another pill. The 82-year-old also said he is being treated by a “leading surgeon who was diagnosed with the same type of cancer three decades ago,” per the outlet.
“The expectation is we’re going to be able to beat this,” said Biden, per CNN. “It’s not in any organ, it’s in — my bones are strong, it hadn’t penetrated. So, I’m feeling good.”
REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
Joe Biden speaks during a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle, Delaware on May 30, 2025
On May 18, Biden released a statement announcing that he had been diagnosed with “aggressive” prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, after “experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.” The cancer is characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5),” which “represents a more aggressive form of the disease,” according to the statement.
Biden shared at the time that “the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management.”
During his speech at the Memorial Day service in Delaware on Friday, Biden emotionally acknowledged his late son, former Delaware attorney general Beau Biden, following his passing from glioblastoma in 2015.
“I know for many of you, Memorial Day, like for us, is deeply personal. For the Bidens, this day is the 10th anniversary of the loss of my son Beau, who spent a year in Iraq. And to be honest, it’s a hard day,” Biden said, per CNN. “Being with all of you, quite frankly, makes things a little bit easier. It really does. So, thank you for allowing me to grieve with you.”
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Biden attended the service with Beau’s son, Robert “Hunter” Biden II, 18, according to CNN. The Biden family marked the 10th anniversary of Beau’s death at a private mass together that same morning, the outlet reported.
The politician’s appearance with his family at the service comes after he attended his grandson Hunter’s graduation from Salisbury School in Connecticut on May 23.
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