Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi says his cancer is currently in remission.
The Birmingham Mail reports the rocker – who was diagnosed with blood cancer lymphoma in January of 2012 – confirmed the news during a special presentation at the Solihull, UK hospital where medics have been treating his illness.
“I came back to hospital straight after we finished a round of European tour dates, and the good news is that everything is alright up to this point,” he said. “I am in remission and hopefully, this situation will continue. The chemotherapy and the follow-up treatment appear to have done the trick – but I’m aware that it could come back one day.”
“I have a blood test every six weeks at my GP’s, and I come in here at regular intervals for check-ups,” he added. “That’s something that I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life, looking for any warning signs that it might be rearing its ugly head again. But the availability of a facility like the Specialist Care Centre makes it so much easier. They’re all lovely here!”
The Spire Specialist Care Centre – a new, purpose-built £1.3 million facility in the grounds of Solihull’s Spire Parkway Hospital – has been awarded the The Macmillan Quality Environment Mark for its care of cancer patients.
“I can’t thank them enough for what they have done for me, and others like me,” said Iommi, who later posted to social media: “Many thanks to everyone who’s been in touch about my remission. Your kind words are very appreciated.”
Black Sabbath will launch the final series of North American shows on their current farewell tour at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in New York on August 17 before playing dates in Latin America late in the year; they’ll begin a final 8-show UK/Ireland run early next year that will wrap up with a pair of shows in their hometown of Birmingham, UK,
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