Former President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he is reducing the number of events on his book tour for his upcoming presidential memoir. The decision comes as a result of his ongoing battle with cancer, a condition that has been a central part of his public narrative since leaving the White House.
In a statement regarding the publication of 'Promise Me, America,' which is scheduled for release on November 17, Biden explained that he received his cancer diagnosis while in the process of writing the book. He described the disease as one known to millions of Americans and their families. The former president noted that his medical team remains encouraged by his response to the treatment regimen.
Biden expressed gratitude for the support he has received, stating that the prayers, kind words, and well-wishes from the public have meant more to him, former first lady Jill Biden, and their family than they can fully articulate. He acknowledged that some days are better than others and that while the illness has not stopped him, it occasionally slows his pace.
Due to these physical limitations, Biden said he will not be able to participate in as many conversations about the book as he had originally hoped. However, he expressed hope that the words in the memoir will speak for themselves. This adjustment to the tour reflects a more measured approach to his public engagements as he continues to manage his health.
The former president’s office first revealed the diagnosis in May 2025, four months after he departed from office. At that time, officials stated that Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. Doctors indicated that the cancer was hormone sensitive. He completed his primary treatment in October 2025.
In September, Biden stated that his radiation treatment had worked as intended. Despite the completion of that phase of care, he continued working on his memoir. His son, Hunter Biden, spoke to BBC’s Newsnight in August about his father’s condition. He described the cancer as having spread to other parts of the body and called the situation very debilitating.
Hunter Biden noted that watching his father’s health decline has been really hard. He shared a personal sentiment, saying he wished his father would complain more because the current state of his health is not good. These comments provided a rare glimpse into the private challenges faced by the Biden family during this period.
Former first lady Jill Biden previously described the diagnosis as shocking. She stated that White House physicians somehow missed detecting the cancer, a fact that added to the complexity of the family’s medical journey. The memoir is expected to cover his response to the COVID-19 pandemic and his initial decision to seek a second term.
According to the publisher, Hachette Book Group, the book also reveals the deeply agonizing calculation behind his decision in the summer of 2024 to step aside from the presidential race. The publisher emphasized that Biden chose to put his party and the nation before his personal ambitions. The narrative aims to provide insight into these significant leadership decisions.
Additionally, Biden’s office stated last year that he underwent Mohs surgery. This procedure involves cutting away thin layers of skin to be examined for signs of cancer until no signs are found. The combination of his cancer treatment and skin surgeries has shaped the timeline and nature of his recent public appearances.
