Joe Biden Reveals Cancer Battle Is Slowing Him Down, Forces Him to Scale Back Tour for Upcoming Presidential Memoir

Former President Joe Biden has revealed that his ongoing battle with aggressive prostate cancer is forcing him to significantly reduce promotional appearances for his upcoming presidential memoir. The 83-year-old Democrat acknowledged Sunday that his health has become an obstacle to maintaining a busy public schedule, even as doctors remain encouraged by his response to treatment.

Biden shared the update in a lengthy social media statement announcing the November 17 release of his new book, “Promise Me, America.” The memoir examines his four years in the White House, the major decisions of his administration, and the circumstances surrounding his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential election.

The former president explained that he had originally hoped to participate in numerous interviews and public conversations about the book. However, the physical effects of his cancer and ongoing treatment have made those plans increasingly difficult.

“Some days are better than others. It hasn’t stopped me. But sometimes it slows me down,” Biden wrote. He acknowledged that he would be unable to participate in as many promotional discussions as originally planned, expressing hope that readers would judge the memoir on its own merits.

Biden also offered an encouraging assessment of his medical treatment, saying his doctors remain satisfied with his progress. He thanked Americans who have sent prayers and well wishes to him, his wife Jill, and their family since his diagnosis became public.

The former president announced in May 2025 that doctors had discovered an aggressive form of prostate cancer. By the time the disease was diagnosed, it had already spread to his bones, placing him in the advanced stages of the illness.

Medical officials previously disclosed that Biden’s cancer carried a Gleason score of 9, indicating an aggressive form of the disease. His treatment has included radiation and hormone therapy, which are commonly used to control advanced prostate cancer and slow its progression.

Although Biden has repeatedly expressed optimism about his condition, his family has acknowledged that the illness has taken a significant physical toll. His son, Hunter Biden, previously described the treatment as painful and debilitating, explaining that his father has experienced considerable discomfort while undergoing medical care.

The former president has maintained a relatively limited public schedule since leaving office in January 2025. His appearances have been considerably less frequent than during his presidency, and his cancer diagnosis has introduced additional challenges to his post-White House activities.

Biden’s latest health update comes as he prepares to release what is expected to be one of the most consequential accounts of his political career. “Promise Me, America” will revisit the major events of his administration, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the war in Ukraine, and his handling of domestic economic policies.

The book is also expected to examine the political turmoil surrounding Biden’s unsuccessful attempt to secure a second presidential term. His decision to seek reelection despite widespread concerns about his age and fitness became one of the defining controversies of the 2024 campaign.

Those concerns intensified following Biden’s June 2024 presidential debate against Donald Trump, during which he struggled to complete several answers and appeared confused at various moments. The performance triggered widespread alarm within the Democratic Party and renewed demands that he withdraw from the race.

After weeks of pressure from Democratic lawmakers, donors, and party leaders, Biden ended his reelection campaign in July 2024 and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement. Harris subsequently lost the general election to President Trump, returning Republicans to the White House.

The circumstances surrounding Biden’s withdrawal remain a contentious subject within Democratic politics. His upcoming memoir is expected to provide his personal account of the internal party disagreements and political calculations that ultimately led him to abandon his campaign.

Biden has described the book as an explanation of the challenges his administration faced and the decisions he made while serving as president. He has also emphasized that the memoir reflects his beliefs about American democracy, national identity, and the country’s role in international affairs.

The former president’s publisher had initially planned a promotional tour to accompany the book’s release. Such appearances typically provide former presidents with opportunities to discuss their records, defend controversial decisions, and shape how their administrations are remembered.

Biden’s health limitations mean that some of those conversations will no longer take place as originally envisioned. His representatives have not provided a detailed revised schedule or identified precisely how many appearances will be canceled.

Despite those restrictions, Biden has indicated that he intends to remain engaged with public life whenever his health permits. He has continued to express confidence in his medical team and has previously encouraged other men to undergo regular screenings for prostate cancer.

In September, during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Biden reported that his radiation treatment had produced the results his doctors were seeking. He also highlighted the importance of early detection, noting that prostate cancer can often be treated successfully when discovered before it spreads.

His situation is more complicated because the disease had already metastasized by the time it was identified. Although treatment can help control advanced prostate cancer, patients may require continuing medical care and experience fatigue, pain, or other complications.

Biden’s announcement also comes as his political legacy remains the subject of considerable debate. His presidency was marked by disputes over inflation, immigration enforcement, foreign policy, and his administration’s handling of several major international crises.

The memoir will give Biden an opportunity to defend his record and explain his decisions in his own words. However, the reduced promotional schedule means the former president may have fewer opportunities to answer questions directly about the controversies surrounding his time in office.

Biden concluded his health update by recalling advice from his father about perseverance during difficult circumstances. He said he intends to continue following that guidance as he manages his illness and prepares for the book’s publication.

For now, the former president remains focused on his recovery and the upcoming release of “Promise Me, America.” While his doctors have expressed encouragement about his response to treatment, Biden’s acknowledgment that cancer is limiting his activities underscores the challenges he continues to face nearly two years after leaving the White House.