By Theodore Brnwn-

Former US President Joe Biden has announced that he will reduce his planned promotional appearances for his forthcoming memoir as he continues treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer.

Biden, 83, said his ongoing health challenges would prevent him from taking part in as many interviews and public conversations about the book as he had originally anticipated. However, he expressed hope that the memoir would allow readers to understand his presidency, the decisions he made while in office and his reflections on American democracy.

In a statement shared on Sunday, Biden said: “As a result, 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 memoir, which is scheduled for publication on November 17, will offer an account of Biden’s four years in the White House, covering his administration, his political journey and the circumstances surrounding his decision to abandon his re-election campaign in 2024.

The announcement comes amid continuing concerns about the former president’s health following his prostate cancer diagnosis, which was made public several months after he left office in January 2025. Biden’s office announced the diagnosis in May 2025, describing the cancer as an aggressive form of the disease.

Since then, he has undergone courses of radiation therapy and hormone treatment as part of his ongoing medical care. His health has attracted considerable public attention, particularly after his son, Hunter Biden, revealed that the cancer had spread to other parts of his father’s body.

In an interview with the BBC in August, Hunter Biden said the disease had metastasised to his father’s bones and was causing significant pain.

“The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further,” Hunter Biden said. “It’s very painful and it’s very debilitating in many respects.” His comments provided a concerning update on the former president’s condition and highlighted the difficulties he has faced while undergoing treatment.

Former first lady Jill Biden has also spoken publicly about her husband’s diagnosis. In previous comments to NBC News, she said she believed Joe Biden would live with cancer for the remainder of his life. Despite the challenges, Biden has continued to make occasional public appearances and speak about issues affecting the United States.

In his latest statement, he offered a more encouraging assessment of his response to treatment, saying his doctors were “encouraged by how I’ve responded to treatment”. He also thanked members of the public for their prayers, support and well wishes, adding that he remained determined to continue fighting the disease.

The memoir is expected to provide an important personal account of one of the most consequential periods in recent American political history. According to its publisher, Hachette Book Group, the book will examine Biden’s presidential campaign, his administration and his decision to seek another term in office despite growing concerns about his age and fitness for the presidency.

It will also explore the political calculations behind his eventual withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Biden suspended his re-election campaign in July 2024 following mounting pressure from members of his own Democratic Party.

Concerns about his age and mental sharpness intensified after his performance in a televised presidential debate against Donald Trump raised questions about his ability to serve another four-year term.

He subsequently endorsed his vice-president, Kamala Harris, as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate. Harris went on to lead the party’s campaign against Trump, who ultimately won the election. The decision to withdraw marked a defining moment in Biden’s presidency and remains a significant part of his political legacy.

In describing the purpose of his memoir, Biden said the book would focus not only on his time in the White House but also on the principles that guided his decisions.

“More than anything, it’s about my faith in the American people and the great American experiment in self-governance and democracy,” he wrote.

The publication is likely to attract considerable interest as readers seek further insight into the former president’s thinking during his administration, particularly his handling of domestic and international challenges.

Biden’s age and health were recurring subjects of political debate throughout his presidency. At 82 when he left office in January 2025, he was the oldest person to have served as president of the United States. Questions about his memory, communication and physical stamina became increasingly prominent during the final stages of his presidency and ultimately contributed to pressure for him to withdraw from the 2024 election.

His forthcoming memoir could provide a more detailed account of how he viewed those concerns and the personal considerations behind his decision to step aside. Although his cancer treatment has forced him to scale back his plans for promoting the memoir, his latest statement suggests he remains hopeful about the response to the book.

The memoir will offer readers an opportunity to hear his account of the presidency in his own words, including the decisions, controversies and personal challenges that shaped his final years in political office.