Andy Taylor, the former guitarist of the British rock group Duran Duran, is opening up about his life with stage 4 prostate cancer.
The rocker, 61, discussed his health in an interview with People, published Wednesday, saying he first realized something was off when he felt “arthritic” pain while jogging and a pair of lumps in his lymph nodes.
“The first thing I thought of was, when was the last time I had a PSA test?” Taylor told People, adding that he has a family history of prostate cancer.
“As harsh as it is, it’s a death sentence,” he continued. “So you sort of walk out of the hospital in a stunned silence… You’ve got to start from the fact that it’s a slow burn, so it’s not going to take you quickly.”
Taylor told the magazine he’s making the most out of life through his art.
“Music’s never had a greater value to me,” he said. “One of the things that I learned early was, if you keep your mind active, and you’re there and physically active, it really does (make a difference). You’re carrying this grim reaper of a weight.”
Taylor also reflected on the way his health condition was announced to the world. In November, Duran Duran lead singer Simon Le Bon broke the news onstage at the band’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction by reading portions of an open letter from Taylor. The audience at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater gasped audibly at the news.
“In a way, it ended up becoming a massive relief because talking about it publicly, when you’ve been living with something for so long, every conversation you have with people, you’re acting,” Taylor told People.
The musician said he encourages Duran Duran fans to get screened for prostate cancer and to encourage their loved ones to do the same.
Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor reveals Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis at Rock Hall induction: ‘There is no cure’
“If I could get a genie out of a bottle and make one wish, it’s that nobody ever has to go through what I went through,” he said. “Duran (has) got a great female audience. Don’t just give him a poke, make him go get a (prostate specific antigen) test!”
He added: “(I’m) trying to stay alive and live a life, which I am absolutely not giving up on.”
Taylor elaborated on his circumstances in the letter he shared with his bandmates, which they read at their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. The full letter “A Note From Andy,” is posted on the band’s website.
Duran Duran marks 40 years with new album ‘Future Past’: ‘We want to lift people’s spirits’
Contributing: Bryan Alexander
Story Credit: usatoday.com