Joe Biden's friends express concern about increased fatigue amid cancer battle: Report
WASHINGTON, DC: Concerns are quietly growing among some of Joe Biden’s close circle as the former president continues treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
In recent weeks, friends who have spoken with the 83-year-old said he has at times appeared more tired, according to a report by The Washington Post. Still, aides maintain that Biden remains active, engaged and focused on his ongoing work.
The update comes as Biden prepares to travel to South Carolina on February 27 to deliver remarks marking the sixth anniversary of his primary victory in the state.
Friends notice increased fatigue in recent weeks
According to The Washington Post, four friends who have spoken with Biden in recent months said they have not received detailed updates about his health. However, they noted a visible change.
Over the past several weeks, Biden has at times seemed more fatigued, they told the outlet, attributing it to the strain of both the cancer and the treatment he is undergoing.
At the same time, not everyone close to the former president shares the same level of concern. A fifth person told the publication that Biden remains active and engaged and is “encouraged and positive about his prognosis given his positive response to treatment.”
Aides say Joe Biden is continuing work and public schedule
Despite the reported worries, Biden’s aides have emphasized that he is doing well and keeping up with his responsibilities.
They said the former president continues working on his memoir and is preparing for upcoming public appearances. His planned trip to South Carolina later this week is expected to go ahead as scheduled.
The visit will mark six years since his primary victory in the state - a milestone that played a key role in his political trajectory.
Details of Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis
In 2025, Biden’s office announced that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer that had metastasized to the bone - a condition medical experts consider “incurable.”
At the time, the cancer was assigned a Gleason score of 9 on a scale of 6 to 10, indicating one of the most aggressive forms that is more likely to spread quickly, particularly to the spine.
His medical team later confirmed that he was undergoing radiation therapy at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia. Before that, he had already begun hormone therapy in pill form.
On October 20, 2025, Biden rang the ceremonial bell after completing his course of radiation treatment - a moment his daughter Ashley described as a small celebration in his fight against the disease.
Former president remains publicly active
Even after the diagnosis, Biden has continued to appear at major public events.
In April 2025, he attended the funeral of Pope Francis.
Later that year, in November, he was present at the funeral of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
He also appeared at Tatiana Schlossberg’s funeral in January.
