Joe Biden had concerning bathroom habit that was overlooked before prostate cancer diagnosis
Jill Biden has opened up about Joe Biden's 'challenging' cancer journey, revealing a pattern that emerged before his diagnosis.
Biden, 83, was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer after leaving the White House, with the former first lady sitting down with the Let’s Talk Off Camera podcast with Kelly Ripa in an episode posted on August 5.
"And, for anyone who’s listening, really, that diagnosis, you can be cured, and you can go through radiation or whatever," she said. "You can be cured, and you’ll be fine."
However, for her husband things had already progressed, Jill, 75, explained.
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"Unfortunately for Joe, it metastasized to his bones," she added. "Which means that he will forever live with cancer, and we have to be mindful of it every three months, testing and medicines.
"And anybody who’s gone through this cancer journey and I’ve been through it many times with members of my family, of course with Beau, it’s constant. It’s daily. And I think it’s challenging."
Jill revealed that prior to his diagnosis, Biden had been getting up as many as 'seven times a night' to relieve himself.
However, despite raising it with a physician at the White House, they apparently believed that no further action was needed, with Jill saying she 'thought it was addressed'.
She continued: "But like you’re saying, they were following the American Urological Association guidelines.
"And so they didn’t give him the PSA [prostate-specific antigen] test, the blood test. But when it continued when we got out of the White House — I said ‘Joe, we’ve got to go up to Jeff in Philly — something’s wrong.’
"And so we did. But I never, oh my God, I never thought it would be prostate cancer."
Symptoms of prostate cancer
The Cleveland Clinic lists a 'frequent, sometimes urgent, need to pee, especially at night' as a symptom of prostate cancer.
The location of the prostate right next to the bladder means that if it becomes enlarged, whether through cancer or another cause, this can put additional pressure on the bladder.
That in turn can create the sensation of needing to urinate more than usual, even if you don't necessarily need to go urgently.
Other symptoms of prostate cancer can include a weak or stopping and starting flow of urine, pain or burning when urinating, incontinence, and blood in urine or semen.
Erectile dysfunction and pain in ejaculation can also be a sign, as well as pain in the hip, chest, and lower back.
You may have noticed that a lot of these symptoms also have crossover with other conditions, making it important to speak to a doctor if you are worried about them, and have screenings if you are in a group that has an elevated risk.
Biden received his diagnosis in 2025, with a statement from his office at the time saying: "Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.
"On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone."
It added: "While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management. The president and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians."
Biden himself also released a touching message on X alongside a pic of him, Jill, and their cat Willow, writing: "Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
Kit Roberts