Joe Biden starts radiation therapy as part of prostate cancer treatment

• Joe Biden starts a new phase of cancer treatment.
• He is undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment.
• Radiation treatment is expected to last five weeks.

Joe Biden is beginning a new round of medical treatment as he continues to battle an advanced form of cancer diagnosed earlier this year.

A spokesperson for the former US president confirmed on Saturday that he “is currently undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment” as part of a broader plan to treat his prostate cancer.

According to a source familiar with the matter, the radiation phase will last approximately five weeks. Biden has already been on hormone medication in pill form to slow the cancer’s progression.

The 82-year-old also underwent Mohs surgery last month to remove skin cancer, appearing at several public events with a bandage on his forehead. His physician later stated that “all cancerous tissue was successfully removed” and that “no further treatment is required.”

Biden publicly disclosed in May that his prostate cancer had already spread to his bones. At the time, his team said he was exploring multiple treatment options to ensure “effective management” of the disease.

In a post on X after announcing his diagnosis, he wrote, “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”

Experts told NBC News at the time that the aggressive nature of his cancer suggested it may have been developing undetected for years. Men in their 80s are not typically screened for prostate cancer; the American Cancer Society advises screenings every two years for men in their 50s and 60s. It remains unknown whether Biden received a screening during his final medical exam in office last year.

Despite the diagnosis, those close to him say the former president is “doing well.”

Biden has faced several health-related procedures in recent years. In 2023, while still in the White House, he had a cancerous lesion removed during a routine physical. His doctor at the time confirmed that no additional treatment was needed.

Biden stepped down from office in January, months after withdrawing from his re-election bid and endorsing Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket. His campaign’s final stretch was overshadowed by concerns over his age and fitness to serve, claims he and his family have consistently rejected.