Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor 'dodged a bullet' with end-of-life cancer diagnosis

30 August 2023 , 09:02

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Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor 'dodged a bullet' with end-of-life cancer diagnosis

Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor admitted this morning it's "kind of mind-blowing for my family" that he's still around amid his "radioactive" treatment for prostate cancer.

The guitarist, 62, joined Zoe Ball in the BBC Radio 2 studio to discuss his new music but also how he's feeling health wise - with the musician confessing he feels like he's "dodged a bullet" at times following his cancer becoming "asymptomatic" after previously being told he would need end-of-life palliative care.

Andy was diagnosed with stage-four prostate cancer in 2018 and unable to join the rest of Duran Duran when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year. After being forced to miss the event, Andy spoke to a doctor who said there was a treatment for him that was targeted to detect only cancer cells.

The rocker has since been given a round of medical intervention, in which radioactive chemicals are given intravenously. Discussing the treatment with Zoe this morning, Andy explained how he will be "radioactive for several days" after each session and unable to sleep in the same bed as someone for three days - joking the Covid-19 pandemic precautions was good training for this.

Andy Taylor signed records as he arrived at Wogan House to appear on Radio 2 this morning (PA)

The former Duran Duran guitarist said he 'keeps saying I shouldn't be here' (PA Archive)

As Zoe introduced Andy to Radio 2 listeners earlier today, she praised the music legend for being "fantastically vocal about men getting checked out" as she asked him how he was getting on amid his diagnosis and recent treatment.

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"I started this incredible treatment a couple months ago - two shots of nuclear medicine, and it literally is just that - that targets the cancer cells. It's medicine that didn’t exist five years ago, so five years when I was diagnosis with stage four, [it was a case of] 'you've got five years on the clock'. Now, i’ve got another five years. So, i'm still in this little bit... did I dodge a bullet?" Andy told Zoe on the sow this morning.

He went on to say: "The way i've landed is pretty amazing. After I had my first round of treatment I asked if it would be possible to [go back to work] as I didn't want to be doing nothing or be a patient asking for more Nurofen. I've no pain - I'm asympatnic after years - and as long as i take it easy and don't work too hard...I started playing again.

"I keep saying i shouldn't be here but the fact that I am is kind of mind-blowing for me and my family - that's the other bit we all need to talk about, the impact on families. And the fact us chaps don't really like to go - we don't talk! Ladies do! If you brother up a bit - go and have a check!"

Zoe Delaney