John Farnham‘s sons have shared an update about the Australian rocker’s cancer battle, revealing that their dad is ‘stubborn’ as ever.
Rob and James Farnham sat down with Sunrise’s Matt Shirvington and Natalie Barr on Thursday to discuss their famous dad’s health after he was diagnosed with oral cancer in August 2022.Â
The Aussie crooner immediately underwent a strenuous 12-hour surgery to remove the tumour and reconstruct his jaw.
Since then, the 76-year-old has had a number of smaller operations on his road to recovery.Â
Reflecting on his father’s three-year cancer journey, Rob shared an update with fans. Â
‘He’s doing good… you go through such a dramatic surgery, particularly on your face, it’s going to affect you.’
John Farnham ‘s sons have shared an update about the Australian rocker’s cancer battle, revealing that their dad is ‘stubborn’ as everÂ
Rob and James Farnham sat down with Sunrise’s Matt Shirvington and Natalie Barr to discuss their famous dad’s health after he was diagnosed with oral cancer in August 2022.Â
He added: ‘But he’s resilient, he’s strong… stubborn.’
‘He’s doing quite well, he’s sticking to his regime. My mum makes sure he’s doing all the right things – shout out to her.’
The Farnham brothers appeared on the Aussie breakfast program to raise awareness and funds for Daffodil Day, an annual Cancer Council event held on August 21.Â
In 2022, the You’re The Voice hitmaker discovered he had a cancerous growth in his mouth after his wife Jill insisted he get a persistent mouth ulcer checked out.
Having found a malignant tumour, the resulting operation saw parts of his mouth and jaw removed, and lasted nearly 12 hours.
John then underwent eight gruelling weeks of radiation and, 12 months later, was declared cancer-free.
In his memoir The Voice Inside, John detailed his cancer ordeal and how it robbed him of his life’s passion.
‘My facial disfigurement from the surgery means I can’t open my mouth wide enough for a strip of spaghetti, let alone to sing,’ he wrote.
‘He’s doing good… you go through such a dramatic surgery, particularly on your face, it’s going to affect you,’ shared Rob
‘I can’t get the movement to make the sounds I want to make, that’s where the vibrations and my voice come from. It’s a very disconcerting thing. And trying hurts.’
While he has temporarily been robbed of what was regarded as one of the great voices of popular music, he still has hopes that one day he will perform again.
‘I was given a gift and to be able to get out there and affect people in some way was special, I would like to continue doing that,’ he shared.
John also said he believes the tumour came about as a result of his long-term smoking habit, which he eventually managed to kick.
‘Cancer doesn’t discriminate, but as soon as I was told the results, I couldn’t help thinking it was my own fault, I smoked very heavily all my life,’ he said.
He said he started smoking at the age of 14 and would do so in secret after his disapproving parents once caught him.
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John Farnham’s sons share major health update about singer’s cancer journey