Although he is a fairly private individual, a few years ago, Morrissey, 62, opened up about his cancer diagnosis and his ongoing battle with depression.
The announcement of his battle with cancer came after the star canceled part of his US tour after being treated for a respiratory infection a few months earlier.
But when talking about his health problems, the severity was much worse than expected.
His other recent ailments have included pneumonia, an ulcer, Barrett’s esophagus and anemia.
Appearing on an episode of the American talk show Larry King NowMorrissey said: “Barrett’s cancer is in the oesophagus.
“I get scraped from time to time and I have medication, but I’m fine. A lot of people have it and it fades, a lot of people have it and it doesn’t fade.”
After being hospitalized several times, Morrissey added: “If I die, then I die. And if I don’t, then I don’t.
“You don’t really hear that word, that c-word. It seems to float above you, you just go, ‘Yeah, oh yeah.’ Later, when you’re alone on the stairs, she shoots into your mind. At that time, you don’t hear it.
“I’ve had four cancer scrapings, but so what?”
In an exchange with the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, at the beginning of one of his tours, Morrissey made a forceful statement about his appearance.
He said: “I know I look pretty bad in recent photos, but I’m afraid this is what the disease does to the face in general.
“I’ll save the relaxation for when I’m dead.”
Cancer Research UK explains that the condition is caused by the change of cells in the lining of the food pipe (esophagus).
In some cases, these cells can become esophagus cancer.
The cells that line the esophagus, known as squamous cells, are normally flat, but when the barrett’s Disease, cells acquire column-shaped and begin to grow abnormally.
It is important to note that many people with Barrett’s do not develop esophageal cancer, but your cancer risk increases the more the cells change.
According to studies, it is estimated that between 3 and 13 people out of 100 with Barrett’s esophagus will develop esophageal adenocarcinoma in their lifetime.
Spotting the early signs of oesophageal cancer can be difficult, but the NHS suggests that people may notice changes in their digestion such as:
- Having trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
- feeling or being sick
- Heartburn or acid reflux
- Symptoms of indigestion, such as burping a lot.
Other possible symptoms of cancer may include voice changes, loss of appetite, fatigue and lack of energy, or pain in the throat or middle of the chest when swallowing.
Despite having undergone major cancer treatment, Morrissey went on to explain some of the negatives he has experienced as a result.
He said, “I think [el tratamiento del cáncer] It has set me back considerably because doctors, hospitals, and medications are actually getting very old in their own way, and can often wear you out more than any medical issues you have. If they ask me to give more blood, I think I will laugh out loud.”
Despite Morrissey’s admission, esophageal cancer often It can be treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Surgery aims to remove part or, in a small number of cases, most of the esophagus. They may also need to remove parts of other organs around the esophagus, such as the upper part of the stomach.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are then used to kill cancer cells and improve symptoms of more advanced cancer.
As a possible cause of esophageal cancer, there are some lifestyle choices that will reduce the risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus.
These include the following:
- try to lose weight
- Let hot drinks cool down before drinking
- Try to reduce alcohol consumption and avoid more than 14 units per week
- Give up smoking.