Former President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he is scaling back promotional events for his upcoming memoir, citing the ongoing effects of his cancer diagnosis and treatment. In a statement, Biden said the decision was difficult but necessary as he manages his health.
“While writing the book, I was diagnosed with cancer, a disease known all too well to millions of Americans and their families,” Biden said, referring to his memoir Promise Me, America, which is set for release on Nov. 17. He added that his doctors remain optimistic about his response to treatment, but acknowledged the physical toll it has taken.
“Some days are better than others. It hasn’t stopped me,” he said. “But sometimes it slows me down. What that means is, unfortunately, I won’t be able to do as many conversations about my book as I’d hoped. However, I’m hopeful the words on the page speak for themselves.”
The former president’s office disclosed in May 2025, four months after he left office, that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. Doctors described the cancer as “hormone sensitive,” and Biden completed his treatment in October 2025. In September, he said his radiation treatment had “worked as intended.”
His son, Hunter Biden, offered a more sobering assessment in an August interview with the BBC, saying the cancer had spread and was “very debilitating.” He expressed frustration that his father rarely complains, adding, “I wish he would complain more, because it’s not good.” Jill Biden, the former first lady, called the diagnosis “shocking” and criticized White House physicians for having “somehow” missed it.
The memoir is expected to cover Biden’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his decision to seek a second term, as well as the “deeply agonizing calculation” behind his July 2024 withdrawal from the presidential race, according to publisher Hachette Book Group. Biden’s office also revealed last year that he underwent Mohs surgery to remove layers of skin for cancer screening.
The reduced tour comes amid broader political discussions about health and leadership, including recent debates over presidential immunity and the constitutional limits of executive power. Biden’s health challenges have also drawn attention to cancer-related policy efforts, such as new legislation aimed at standardizing breast cancer screenings.
Despite the scaled-back schedule, Biden stressed his gratitude for the public’s support. “The prayers and kind words and well wishes from so many of you have meant more to me and Jill and our family than you can ever know,” he said.
