Three years ago, in May 2019, Dave Mustaine was diagnosed with throat cancer. Thanks to intensive treatment, the musician was free of the disease by October, and the topic was revisited in a recent interview on the radio program Full Metal Jackie .
The founder of Megadeth said that he has been trying to lead a healthier life since his illness and that his tests are all normal. In fact, since the scare is over, Mustaine admits that he doesn't think about it much, even though his outlook on life has been affected.
“I don’t even think about it anymore, but it made me consider life in general. Not so much what I do when I go on stage, but how much I truly appreciate the people around me. How much capacity do I have in my heart to tolerate people who irritate me? Am I going to fight with someone, walk away, and never see them again?” she reflects (transcription via Blabbermouth ).
Dave Mustaine also spoke about seeing more TV commercials specifically addressing throat cancer, rather than cancer in general. The musician said he'd heard the disease affects many people and encouraged them to get regular checkups and stay healthy, especially adult men. "If you're an adult man and you have an ounce of self-respect and the respect for the people around you who love you, go get your checkups!" he advised.
When the presenter pointed out that many men don't like going to the doctor, Mustaine gave a spot-on response: “I think it's because of the macho attitude. There's a stigma that if you go to the doctor he's going to stick something up your ass, but that's one of the worst misunderstandings there is. It's not always 'Hey, turn your head and cough.' I suggest that if you go to get a sore throat checked and the doctor checks your ass, then you're in the wrong place, man.”
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