Hunter Biden has opened up about his father Joe Biden’s ongoing cancer treatment, revealing that the former US president’s condition has become increasingly difficult for the family to witness.
Hunter said Biden’s cancer had spread to his bones, describing the illness as both painful and debilitating.
He made the disclosure during an interview published by the BBC on Saturday, where he discussed his father’s battle with the disease.
“I wish he would complain more, because it’s not good — the cancer has spread,” Hunter said, noting that the disease had metastasised to his father’s bones “and further”.
“It’s very painful… very debilitating,” he said. “Cancer is really hard. It’s really sad to watch,” he stated.
Hunter, Biden’s only surviving son, also spoke about his father’s importance to the family, saying, “My dad is, to this day, the centre of our family. He’s the best father, the best husband, the best grandfather.”
Biden revealed in May 2025, four months after his departure from the White House, that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
The former president subsequently said his treatment was going well and thanked people for their prayers, support and well wishes.
“I’m dealing with a cancer diagnosis, been getting treatment, and it’s going really well,” Biden said last month. “I want to thank all those who have offered their prayers and support and well-wishes. It’s meant the world to me and to Jill.”
After announcing his diagnosis, Biden had also expressed confidence about his treatment, saying his doctors expected him to respond positively to medication.
“The prognosis is good, we’re working on it,” he said. “It’s all a matter of taking a pill, one particular pill, for the next six weeks. And the expectation is we’re going to be able to beat this.”
In recent months, the former president has said he has been spending more time with members of his family as he continues his treatment. Questions about Biden’s health had already attracted significant public attention during the final stage of his presidency and the 2024 presidential campaign.
Biden ended his bid for re-election in July 2024, after which Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. Harris subsequently lost the election to Donald Trump.
Biden’s memoir, Promise Me, America, is expected to be released in November.
