Dr. Jill Biden shares sad update

Former First Lady Jill Biden is offering one of her most personal updates yet on husband Joe Biden‘s health, opening up about the former president’s ongoing battle with stage 4 prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.

Appearing on Kelly Ripa’s Let’s Talk Off Camera podcast, Jill spoke candidly about Joe Biden’s condition, their day-to-day reality, and how the family is navigating life after his diagnosis. Her comments come more than a year after he publicly revealed his cancer diagnosis.

Jill Biden says Joe Biden is “doing okay”

Jill began the conversation on a hopeful note, explaining that while her husband’s diagnosis is serious, he continues to fight the disease. “He’s doing okay,” she said.

She went on to explain the difference between treatable prostate cancer and Joe Biden’s specific diagnosis. “That diagnosis can be cured. You can go through radiation or whatever. You can be cured, and you’ll be fine. Unfortunately for Joe, it metastasized to his bones, which means that he will forever live with cancer,” she said.

Joe Biden was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2025 after experiencing urinary symptoms. Doctors later confirmed the cancer had spread to his bones, making it an advanced form of the disease.

Joe Biden undergoes testing every three months

Jill revealed that managing the disease has become an ongoing process rather than a one-time treatment. “He gets tested every three months,” she explained, describing cancer as something that requires constant monitoring.

Drawing from her own family’s experiences with cancer, she added, “Anybody who’s gone through this cancer journey, and I’ve been through it many times with members of my family, it’s constant, it’s daily, and it’s challenging.” 

Jill Biden addresses questions surrounding the diagnosis

During the interview, Kelly Ripa also referenced speculation that Joe Biden’s illness had been hidden while he was serving as president.

Jill rejected that narrative, explaining that Joe’s symptoms gradually became more noticeable after they left the White House. She recalled that he was getting up multiple times during the night to use the bathroom, prompting her to insist that doctors conduct additional testing after routine examinations initially followed standard screening recommendations for older men. According to Jill, those additional tests ultimately led to the cancer diagnosis.

Medical experts have noted that routine prostate cancer screening recommendations often change with age, and some aggressive cancers may not be detected until symptoms appear. 

Life after the diagnosis

Although the diagnosis has permanently changed their lives, Jill suggested that she and Joe remain focused on moving forward.

She acknowledged that caregiving comes with emotional and physical challenges but emphasized that they continue facing each day together.

Her latest comments echo remarks she made earlier this year, when she said Joe continues to stay active despite living with metastatic cancer. 

Would Joe Biden have sought another term?

Jill has also acknowledged that knowing what they know now could have changed major political decisions. In previous television interviews, she said that if Joe had already known about his stage 4 cancer diagnosis, he likely would not have pursued another presidential campaign. 

While reflecting on that period, she stressed that the diagnosis has shifted the family’s priorities toward treatment and spending time together.

Looking ahead

Joe Biden’s diagnosis remains incurable because the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. However, advances in treatment mean many patients can manage metastatic prostate cancer for years through hormone therapy, radiation, medications, and regular monitoring.

Jill’s latest update suggests that while the former president continues to face a lifelong medical battle, he remains under close medical supervision with routine testing every three months and the support of his family. “It’s so hard to be a caregiver in that you worry every day, ‘Is he eating right? Is he getting enough exercise? Did he have his medications?’” she said. “It’s part of my legacy—I hope it’s part of Joe’s legacy, that we will keep fighting, just like we did in those four years. We will keep fighting for the American people.”

What type of cancer does Joe Biden have?

Joe Biden has stage 4 prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones. 

How often is Joe Biden monitored?

According to Jill Biden, Joe undergoes medical testing every three months to monitor his condition. 

Can stage 4 prostate cancer be cured?

Jill explained that while many prostate cancers can be cured when caught before they spread, Joe Biden’s cancer metastasized to his bones, making it a lifelong condition that can be managed but not cured.