Dave Mustaine '100% free of cancer' after 51 radiation treatments and nine chemo sessions
Megadeth lynchpin Dave Mustaine has confirmed he is “100% free of cancer” after undergoing 51 radiation treatments and nine chemotherapy treatment sessions.
Last updated 11th Mar 2020
The 58-year-old metal icon first revealed he was diagnosed with throat cancer last June resulting in Megadeth cancelling the majority of their 2019 tour dates.
After receiving treatment last year, Dave Mustaine returned to the stage with Megadeth at the Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, Finland on 20th January and last week the band played Cardiff and London as special guests to Five Finger Death Punch.
Speaking on stage at The SSE Arena, Wembley, Mustaine told the audience he was now “100% free of cancer.”
“About a year ago, we were working on our new album back in Franklin, Tennessee, and I started to feel some pain. I went to the doctor and he said, ‘Dave, you have cancer.' And I went, 'Fuck! I have cancer.' And I was so shocked,” Mustaine told the audience.
“At first, I thought, 'Am I afraid?' And then I said, 'No. I'm fucking pissed.' We stopped the record – we stopped everything. I went into treatment for cancer.
“It was 51 radiation treatments and nine chemo treatments and when it was all said and done, every day I would think, 'I can't face not playing again,' so I would pray.
“I know a lot of you guys know that I pray. I say that in Peace Sells. I pray every day. I say that in the song. I've said it since the second record.
“But I thought about you guys every day, too. And I thought about my family. And I got this power from you guys. And I just kept thinking about it. And on October 16, I went to go see the doctor, and he said, 'You're 100% free of cancer.'"
Megadeth continue their European tour at Berlin’s Max-Schmeling-Halle tonight (3rd February).
Megadeth's setlist at London SSE Arena, Wembley was as follows:
Hangar 18 The Threat Is Real Wake Up Dead Sweating Bullets Trust Tornado of Souls Dystopia Symphony of Destruction Mechanix Peace Sells Holy Wars... The Punishment Due