Hunter Biden reveals dad Joe's 'painful and debilitating' cancer has spread to his bones

Hunter Biden described Joe as the 'rock' of their family and praised him as a devoted father, husband and grandfather
Hunter Biden became emotional while discussing his father’s condition and the impact it has had on their family (Getty Images)
Hunter Biden became emotional while discussing his father’s condition and the impact it has had on their family (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Joe Biden’s cancer battle has taken a painful turn, as disclosed by his son Hunter Biden, who has opened up about his father’s worsening condition.

Speaking with BBC Newsnight’s Paddy O'Connell, Hunter became emotional while discussing what it has been like watching the former president deal with the disease. He revealed that Biden’s cancer has spread to his bones and described the condition as painful and debilitating.

The emotional update comes after Biden’s office announced his prostate cancer diagnosis last year.



Hunter Biden opens up about Joe Biden’s health

Hunter made it clear that his father’s illness has affected the entire family, describing Joe Biden as the person at the center of their lives.

“It’s really tough, Paddy. And that’s the real answer”, Hunter said while struggling to hold back his emotions.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 04: President Joe Biden talks to his son, Hunter Biden, following the fireworks on the National Mall with First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff from the White House balcony during a 4th of July event on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2024 in Washington, DC. The President is hosting the Independence Day event for members of the military and their families. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
Former President Joe Biden talks to his son, Hunter Biden, following the fireworks on the National Mall with former first lady Jill Biden and former second gentleman Doug Emhoff from the White House balcony during a 4th of July event on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2024 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

He described the former president as the Biden family’s “rock”, saying his father has always been there for every member of the family.

“Whatever you think about his politics or the decisions that he made, I can tell you this: he's the best father, the best husband, the best grandfather of anyone that I've ever read about, heard about or even seen in a movie”, Hunter said.

Joe Biden’s cancer has spread

Hunter then revealed the most serious development in Biden’s health battle, saying the cancer has now spread beyond its original location.

“Because, it’s not good. The cancer has spread”, Hunter said. “It’s metastasized into his bones and further”.

He added that the disease is “very painful and very debilitating in many respects”, although he said his father continues to remain active.

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE - JUNE 03: Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, joined by his his wife Melissa Cohen Biden, arrives to the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on June 03, 2024 in Wilmington, Delaware. Biden is standing trial for felony gun charges. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Hunter Biden, son of former US President Joe Biden, joined by his wife Melissa Cohen Biden, arrives at the J Caleb Boggs Federal Building on June 03, 2024 in Wilmington, Delaware (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Hunter also admitted that he wished Biden would complain more about what he is going through, suggesting that the former president has not always openly expressed the full extent of his struggles.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Hunter said Biden is “still out there” and “still doing his thing”.

Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis

Biden’s office first announced his prostate cancer diagnosis in May last year after doctors found a prostate nodule following increasing urinary symptoms.

His team said the former president had been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer, with a Gleason score of 9, or Grade Group 5, and metastasis to the bone.

President Joe Biden arrives for a memorial service for former first lady Rosalynn Carter at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at Emory University on November 28, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Rosalynn Carter, who passed away on November 19 at the age of 96, was married to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter for 77 years. In her lifetime she was an activist and writer known to be an advocate for the elderly, affordable housing, mental health, and the protection of monarch butterflies. Every living first lady are expected to attend the service. (Photo by Brynn Anderson-Pool/Getty Images)
Former President Joe Biden arrives for a memorial service for former first lady Rosalynn Carter at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at Emory University on November 28, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia (Getty Images)

The statement also said the cancer appeared to be hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management, while Biden and his family were reviewing treatment options with his doctors.

Hunter acknowledged that the family’s experience is painful but said they are far from alone in facing cancer.

“Everyone has someone in their family that has cancer”, he said. “So, my answer is the same as yours. It’s really, really hard and it’s really sad to watch.”

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