Former US president Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has spread further through his body and is causing significant pain, according to his son Hunter Biden.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC broadcast late on Friday, Hunter described his father’s condition as difficult for the family to witness.
“The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further,” he said. “It’s very painful and it’s very debilitating in many respects.”
Joe Biden, 83, disclosed his cancer diagnosis in May last year, less than four months after leaving the White House.
His age and health had been subjects of scrutiny during his four years as president, particularly after he abandoned his re-election campaign following a debate with Donald Trump.
Hunter said his father’s diagnosis had been difficult for the family.
“It’s really sad to watch,” he said. “The only thing that I’d say about my dad, about his health right now, is I wish he would complain more, because it’s not good.”
Despite his condition, Hunter said the former president continues to engage publicly with issues he considers important.
“He’s still doing his thing,” he said. “He so believes in this country.”
During the interview, Hunter also discussed the pardon granted to him by his father. He said he was grateful for the decision because he believed Trump would otherwise have sought retribution against him, while acknowledging the pardon could be criticised.
“It is something that is easily criticized and for good reason,” Hunter said. “All I know is that I’m grateful he did it for me, and all I can say to anybody out there is, what would you have thought of my dad if he did not do that for me?”
Joe Biden is also expected to publish a memoir titled Promise Me, America after the midterm elections.
