Joe Biden's health has been a matter of public concern for years and is even more so now, after his recent diagnosis of prostate cancer.
The 82-year-old former president has had many serious health problems over the course of his life.
His office declared on May 18 that the 82-year-old has an "aggressive form of the disease" that has progressed to the bone. The diagnosis adds to his long list of prior medical problems, such as brain aneurysms, atrial fibrillation, and sleep apnoea.
As he starts treatment, his years-long medical history comes back into focus. Here's a personal glimpse at his medical history, from brain surgeries to present challenges, as per a report by Today.
ALSO READ: Is 73-year-old Bill Belichick engaged to 24-year-old Jordon Hudson? Here's what reports say
The health scare started when Biden experienced a "electric surge inside his head" one morning during his first presidential campaign. Once at Walter Reed Army Medical Centre in Washington, D.C., a neurosurgeon found another aneurysm that had not yet ruptured.
Biden had two surgeries to remove the aneurysms, and a month after the first aneurysm, he had treatment for a blood clot in his lung. Compared to the first aneurysm, the second one was smaller. According to the medical centre, the subsequent clot was believed to be caused by bed rest after the surgery.
Tubular adenomas are classified as "precancerous" by the Cleveland Clinic and may be an early indicator of a higher risk of colorectal cancer. The polyp resembled one that former President Joe Biden had removed in 2008.
When Biden tested positive once more in July 2024, two years later, he claimed that his symptoms were minor and that he was going back to Delaware to isolate himself.
Former President Biden was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a malignant skin lesion, during a routine physical examination in 2023. It is a form of cancer that starts in the basal cells and creates new skin cells as the old ones die off. The White House physician stated that no additional treatment was necessary as all cancerous tissue was successfully removed.
In 2023, former President Biden started treating his sleep apnoea, a potentially dangerous sleep disorder, with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. According to the Mayo Clinic, CPAP machines prevent snoring and sleep apnoea by applying just the right amount of air pressure to a mask to maintain the upper airway passages open. Biden's sleep apnoea history began in 2008. CPAP machines are frequently prescribed by doctors to help patients manage their conditions.
According to the report, Biden's memory was "significantly limited" and he was unable to recall the exact date of his son Beau's death. In response to the accusations, Biden said he didn't require a reminder of his death.
In 2025, former President Biden received a prostate cancer diagnosis, which is classified as Grade 5 (a very high grade) with a Gleason score of 9. Because of its hormone sensitivity, the cancer can be effectively managed.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the majority of prostate cancer cases are detected early, and symptoms are not always present at first.
He has an aggressive, high-grade form that has spread to his bones, but it is hormonally sensitive and curable.
Has Biden ever had serious health issues?
Yes. He has had brain aneurysms, atrial fibrillation, skin and colon problems, and now prostate cancer.
The 82-year-old former president has had many serious health problems over the course of his life.
His office declared on May 18 that the 82-year-old has an "aggressive form of the disease" that has progressed to the bone. The diagnosis adds to his long list of prior medical problems, such as brain aneurysms, atrial fibrillation, and sleep apnoea.
As he starts treatment, his years-long medical history comes back into focus. Here's a personal glimpse at his medical history, from brain surgeries to present challenges, as per a report by Today.
ALSO READ: Is 73-year-old Bill Belichick engaged to 24-year-old Jordon Hudson? Here's what reports say
1988:
Joe Biden suffered from two brain aneurysms and a lung blood clot in 1988. He had two brain aneurysms, which are "bulges or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel" that can rupture and cause internal bleeding and possibly death, after being diagnosed with a pinched nerve initially.The health scare started when Biden experienced a "electric surge inside his head" one morning during his first presidential campaign. Once at Walter Reed Army Medical Centre in Washington, D.C., a neurosurgeon found another aneurysm that had not yet ruptured.
Biden had two surgeries to remove the aneurysms, and a month after the first aneurysm, he had treatment for a blood clot in his lung. Compared to the first aneurysm, the second one was smaller. According to the medical centre, the subsequent clot was believed to be caused by bed rest after the surgery.
2003:
After undergoing emergency surgery to remove his gallbladder in 2003, Biden experienced atrial fibrillation episodes and stomach pain. Heart failure, stroke, blood clots, and other heart-related issues can result from this erratic heartbeat. Biden's condition was deemed "persistent" by his physician in 2019, but stated that his heart was operating normally.2020:
In 2020, Biden suffered hairline fractures and a sprained right foot while playing with his German shepherd, Major. The "lateral and intermediate cuneiform bones in the midsection of his right foot" were fractured, according to NBC.2021:
A benign, slowly growing colon polyp was removed during President Biden's colonoscopy procedure in 2021. It turned out to be a "tubular adenoma," a precancerous polyp frequently discovered during standard colonoscopies.Tubular adenomas are classified as "precancerous" by the Cleveland Clinic and may be an early indicator of a higher risk of colorectal cancer. The polyp resembled one that former President Joe Biden had removed in 2008.
2022 & 2024:
Despite having received two booster shots and being fully vaccinated, Biden tested positive for COVID-19 at the age of 79 in July 2022. He was prescribed Paxlovid after his symptoms were deemed mild.When Biden tested positive once more in July 2024, two years later, he claimed that his symptoms were minor and that he was going back to Delaware to isolate himself.
2023:
Former President Biden was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a malignant skin lesion, during a routine physical examination in 2023. It is a form of cancer that starts in the basal cells and creates new skin cells as the old ones die off. The White House physician stated that no additional treatment was necessary as all cancerous tissue was successfully removed.In 2023, former President Biden started treating his sleep apnoea, a potentially dangerous sleep disorder, with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. According to the Mayo Clinic, CPAP machines prevent snoring and sleep apnoea by applying just the right amount of air pressure to a mask to maintain the upper airway passages open. Biden's sleep apnoea history began in 2008. CPAP machines are frequently prescribed by doctors to help patients manage their conditions.
2024:
Even though Biden was "fit for duty," according to his doctor, Dr. Kevin C. O'Connor, in 2024, he had a number of health problems, such as acid reflux, a stiffened gait from a foot fracture, and asymptomatic atrial fibrillation, which he was able to control during a standard physical.2025:
In response to a special counsel Robert Hur report on Biden's handling of classified material, Biden addressed reports of cognitive decline during his presidency in 2025.According to the report, Biden's memory was "significantly limited" and he was unable to recall the exact date of his son Beau's death. In response to the accusations, Biden said he didn't require a reminder of his death.
In 2025, former President Biden received a prostate cancer diagnosis, which is classified as Grade 5 (a very high grade) with a Gleason score of 9. Because of its hormone sensitivity, the cancer can be effectively managed.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the majority of prostate cancer cases are detected early, and symptoms are not always present at first.
FAQs
What type of prostate cancer does Joe Biden have?He has an aggressive, high-grade form that has spread to his bones, but it is hormonally sensitive and curable.
Has Biden ever had serious health issues?
Yes. He has had brain aneurysms, atrial fibrillation, skin and colon problems, and now prostate cancer.
