Chris Foreman, guitarist for the iconic 1980s ska band Madness, has revealed he is suffering from incurable cancer. The 69-year-old musician shared the news on the band's Facebook page, stating he has been diagnosed with myeloma, a form of cancer that is treatable but not curable.
Foreman said he experienced severe pain in his upper back and shoulders earlier this year, which became unbearable after a show in France on 28 June. An MRI scan at the end of June revealed a tumour on his spine. He underwent radiotherapy at the Royal Sussex Hospital on 4 July, which stopped the pain. He also revealed his kidney function had dropped to 14%, though it has since improved.
Despite the diagnosis, Foreman remains optimistic about returning to the stage. He said: 'Some people have had this for 20 years or more. I have a long way to go before I get back onstage but I aim to be back next year.' He added that he cannot drink alcohol as a side effect but has mastered non-alcoholic alternatives.
Foreman has been a member of Madness for 45 years. The band sold over 28 million albums worldwide and was the biggest-selling singles band in the UK in the 1980s, with 15 top ten singles. Fans have flooded social media with messages of support, with many sharing their own experiences with myeloma.
Myeloma symptoms include persistent bone pain, fatigue, frequent infections, and kidney problems. Early stages may show no symptoms, and the condition is often detected during routine blood tests.
