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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Former U.S. President Joe Biden has undergone surgery to treat a variant of skin cancer, following public speculation after recent images showed the 82-year-old with a bandage and visible mark on his forehead.
According to a Fox News report on Thursday, Biden’s spokesperson confirmed he received Mohs surgery, a precise procedure that removes cancerous skin cells layer by layer while preserving healthy tissue. The exact type of skin cancer was not disclosed.
“Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places,” Biden reflected on social media.
The procedure came to light after footage captured him leaving a Delaware church over the Labour Day weekend with a forehead bandage. Spokesperson Kelly Scully said the surgery aimed to “completely remove the cancer while minimising skin damage.”
This is not Biden’s first encounter with skin cancer. In early 2023, during his presidency, doctors removed a basal cell carcinoma from his chest, with his physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor confirming the tissue was fully excised and required no further treatment.
Biden, the oldest living former U.S. president, also revealed in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. Despite these challenges, he has continued to remain active in public life and optimistic about his health.
Cancer has had a profound impact on Biden’s family. His late son, Beau Biden, died of a brain tumour, while his wife, Jill Biden, had two cancerous skin lesions removed in 2023.
Medical experts continue to stress the importance of early detection. The American Cancer Society (ACS) advises men at average risk to begin prostate-specific antigen testing at 50, while those at higher risk including Black men and those with a family history should start at 45.
Regular screenings, healthy lifestyle choices, and public awareness remain key to preventing and effectively treating cancer, experts emphasize.