At 83, Joe Biden has shared a personal update about his health, explaining that his cancer diagnosis has affected his ability to promote his upcoming presidential memoir.
The former president shared the news in a post on X on Sunday, ahead of the release of his book, Promise Me, America, scheduled for November 17.
Biden revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer while writing the memoir. He said his doctors remain encouraged by his response to treatment and that the prayers and kind messages from the public have meant more to him, his wife Jill and their family than words could express.
However, he also acknowledged that the illness has taken a toll on his daily life.
“Some days are better than others,” he wrote. “It hasn’t stopped me. But sometimes it slows me down.
“What that means is, unfortunately, I won’t be able to do as many conversations about my book as I’d hoped. However, I’m hopeful the words on the page speak for themselves.”
‘Promise Me, America’
The memoir looks back on Biden’s four years in the White House, from 2021 to 2025. He has described it as an account of the challenges his administration faced, the decisions he made, the reasons behind those decisions and his continued faith in the American people.
Despite the difficulties surrounding his health, Biden ended his message on an encouraging note by recalling advice from his father.
“Champ, when you get knocked down, get up.”
He said the lesson remained meaningful to him and to America.
Biden first announced his cancer diagnosis in May 2025, several months after leaving the White House. Doctors had discovered a prostate nodule after he experienced worsening urinary symptoms.
His office explained at the time that he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had already spread to his bones. However, the cancer appeared to be hormone-sensitive, meaning doctors could manage it with treatment.
He completed a course of radiation therapy in October 2025.
Hunter Talks About His Father’s Cancer
In August, Biden’s son Hunter offered a rare glimpse into his father’s condition during an interview with the BBC.
Hunter said the cancer had spread “into his bones and further,” adding that the disease caused his father considerable pain.
He described watching his father go through the illness as heartbreaking and said he wished Biden would speak more openly about his suffering.
The latest health update comes during an emotional period for the family. Biden, the oldest living former U.S. president, is due to celebrate his 84th birthday on November 20, just three days after his memoir reaches readers.
Cancer has already brought profound loss to the Biden family. His son Beau died from brain cancer in 2015 at the age of 46.
