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Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor was unable to attend a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. He revealed in a moving letter that he has stage 4 prostate cancer.
This is news that will no doubt sadden fans of Duran Duran, who danced to The Reflex Where Ordinary world in the 80s. When the whole group was to travel to Los Angeles for their induction ceremony into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, ex-guitarist Andy Taylor did not appear alongside his brothers and friends. The other members then revealed that he had advanced stage 4 prostate cancer.
The 61-year-old musician was thus diagnosed several years ago. A situation he mentioned in a letter to his fans on the group’s blog, to explain his absence.
“A little over four years ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer. Many families have experienced the slow burn of this disease and obviously mine is no different. So I speak as a father but with deep humility towards the band, the best fans a band can have and this exceptional award.”
A setback for the whole group
Through the lines, the letter looks somewhat reassuring. The artist hinting that his state of health would deteriorate.
“Although my current condition is not immediately life threatening, there is no cure. Recently I was fine after a very sophisticated life prolonging treatment, that was until about a week ago when I suffered a setback. (…) However, none of this should or should detract from what this band (with or without me) has achieved and sustained for 44 years.”
Facing the journalists present at the ceremony, the singer of the group, Simon LeBon also expressed his support and his pain:
“It’s devastating news to find out that a co-worker… not a co-worker, friend, family member, won’t be around for very long… We love Andy dearly. I’m not going to to stand there and cry, it wouldn’t be appropriate, but that’s what I want to do”.
Prostate cancer, a common ailment
With more than 50,000 new cases diagnosed in France each year, prostate cancer is the most common, both in men and in the general population. It is very rare before the age of 50 and its incidence increases gradually with age.
Its management depends on the stage of advancement of the cancer. Prostate cancer generally has a good prognosis, over 90% cure rate when caught at an early stage. Unfortunately, a stage 4 metastatic means that the tumor has spread beyond the tissues surrounding the prostate to reach distant lymph nodes or other parts of the body away from the prostate such as the lungs, liver or bones. In this case, the treatment is heavier.