Former President Joe Biden has completed a round of radiation treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, according to statements from family and aides. The milestone, while significant, is also reviving serious questions about how much the public was told — or not told — about Biden’s health while he was still in office.
Biden Completes Radiation Treatment in Philadelphia
Biden has been receiving cancer treatment at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia over the past several weeks. On Monday, his daughter Ashley Biden announced on Instagram that he had officially finished a round of radiation.
“Rung the bell! Thank you to the incredible doctors, nurses, and staff at Penn Medicine. We are so grateful!” she wrote.
Ringing the bell is a symbolic tradition at many cancer treatment centers, signaling the end of a radiation round and offering hope to others battling serious illness.
Biden’s spokesperson, Kelly Scully, confirmed the milestone to CBS News, saying simply:
“He rang the bell today.”
Ashley later posted again, adding:
“Dad has been so damn brave throughout his treatment. Grateful.”
At this time, it is unclear whether Biden will require further radiation or additional treatments going forward.
Concerns Over Lack of Transparency
Biden first announced his prostate cancer diagnosis in May, revealing that the disease had already metastasized to his bones. The seriousness of the diagnosis — paired with limited details from the White House while he was in office — has reignited criticism about the administration’s lack of transparency regarding his health.
According to Fox News, this isn’t the first time medical updates were sparse. Earlier, on September 4, Biden underwent surgery to remove cancerous skin cells. He also had a cancerous lesion removed from his chest during his presidency as part of a routine health assessment.
In February 2023, then-White House physician Kevin O’Connor disclosed that biopsies taken from Biden’s skin showed cancerous cells, all of which were reportedly removed successfully.
Lingering Doubts About Fitness for Office
Health questions shadowed Biden throughout his presidency — particularly concerning his mental sharpness and cognitive ability. Repeated moments of confusion and forgetfulness during public appearances led to growing concern within Congress and among voters.
Following a disastrous debate performance in mid-2024 against then-candidate Donald Trump, Biden faced immense pressure from Democratic leaders, celebrities, and activists to step aside. Reports at the time described him as scattered, unfocused, and physically frail — fueling speculation that his health had significantly deteriorated.
Soon after, Biden withdrew as the Democratic nominee and was replaced by then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Leave a Reply