Entertainment
Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus recalls accidentally telling world about cancer diagnosis: ‘It felt like a Band-Aid had been ripped off’
Mark Hoppus confirmed earlier this year that he is cancer-free (Picture: Instagram/Mark Hoppus)
Blink-182 star Mark Hoppus has opened up about the circumstances that led him to accidentally reveal his cancer diagnosis to the world earlier this year.
In June 2021, Mark took a picture of himself undergoing treatment and wanted to post it with his ‘close friends’ circle on Instagram but, due to the confusion caused by the cancer treatment mixed with allergy medication, he ended up making the post public to his one million followers.
‘Yes hello. One cancer treatment, please,’ read the caption of the photo, which kickstarted a storm.
‘Throughout the day as I’m getting chemotherapy and more bags of chemicals are being dripped into my body, other people are reaching out and they’re like, “Dude, what’s going on?”‘ the star recalled in a recent interview with GQ.
While he quickly took the post down, the cat was out of the bag and he later released a statement explaining the details of his condition.
For the past three months, Mark has been treated with chemotherapy for a ‘blood-related’ stage 4 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the same kind his mum had.
Mark did not mean for the world to know (Picture: Mark Hoppus/Instagram)
‘It sucks and I’m scared, and at the same time I’m blessed with incredible doctors and family and friends to get me through this,’ he wrote at the time while his wife Skye was driving him back home.
But while the world was finding out and the drama was unfolding, Mark could barely pay attention to what was happening.
‘Chemo is like being on the worst international, overnight flight where you can’t sleep or get comfortable,’ described the musician.
‘I felt so s***ty. And the brain fog is so bad. The chemo brain is just heartbreaking to me because I can feel myself diminished mentally right now.’
Mark has already started playing live gigs again (Picture: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Mark explained that this is the reason he found his Instagram slip-up so out of character: ‘Maybe part of me subconsciously posted it to my main, but I definitely didn’t do it on purpose.
‘But I don’t know. It kind of felt like a Band-Aid had been ripped off and I was able to be honest with people.’
Mark had his last round of chemo at the start of September and at the end of the same month was able to announce that he was cancer-free.
More: US Showbiz news
In a moving Thanksgiving post the star reflected on his cancer battle writing: ‘I have so much to be thankful for today. This photo is from June, halfway through chemo, no idea if it was working or not, relegated to the bathroom floor, retching.
‘If I ever complain about something trivial or unimportant, please show me this photo to remind me of how bad things can be, and how truly blessed I am. I hope you all have an amazing day with friends and family. Happy Thanksgiving.’
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
MORE : Mark Hoppus’s hair is ‘trying’ to grow back during chemotherapy for blood cancer battle
