Mark Hoppus shared additional details regarding his cancer diagnosis.
While answering fan-submitted questions during a recent Twitch livestream on July 11, the Blink-182 frontman revealed that he has stage 4 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. He also told viewers that his cancer is not “bone-related” but rather “blood-related,” as he continued to explain “my blood’s trying to kill me.”
In a video shared by a Blink-182 fan YouTube account, the fan screen-recorded Hoppus’ discussion on Twitch, the singer shared additional details of his diagnosis and talked about chemotherapy, his support system and more.
“My classification is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma Stage 4-A, which means, as I understand it, it’s entered four different parts of my body,” Hoppus explained to viewers. “I don’t know how exactly they determine the four-part of it, but it’s entered enough parts of my body that I’m Stage 4, which I think is the highest that it goes. So, I’m Stage 4-A.”
Hoppus revealed that he got diagnosed with cancer of the blood back in April and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments since. During the livestream on Twitch, Hoppus also shared that he was just a day away from an important Doctor’s appointment, which would tell him if the chemotherapy treatments are working or not.
“If it is, I go back for at least three more rounds,” the Blink-182 said. “Ideally, I go in tomorrow and they say, ‘Congratulations, your chemotherapy has worked and you’re all done and you’ll never have to think about this cancer again for the rest of your life.’”
He has not yet given fans any updates on the Doctor appointment as of yet, however, he did say during the stream that if chemo wasn’t working he would likely have to pursue “other options,” referring to a bone marrow transplant.
“We’re beating this cancer,” he assured fans. “It’s just a matter of time.”
One fan asked a question about his chemo side effects, which he told them that he has been experiencing chemo brain and as fans can see, it caused him to lose his hair.
“For me, I forget things,” he explained. “People would be talking to me and five minutes later I’d be asking them a question, and they’ll be like, ‘I just told you five minutes ago.’ So it kinda sucks.”
“The first chemo, I felt like I was a zombie that fell onto an electric fence and was just being shocked,” Hoppus continued. “The second round of chemo, I just felt very weak and tired. Really just like the worst flu ever. The third round of chemo, I started retching. Nauseous and that whole thing.”
Hoppus admitted that his mother, a three-time cancer survivor, is who is currently confides in and is his biggest support system throughout his battle. He told fans “oddly enough, we have the exact form of cancer, and she beat it, so I’ve been able to talk to her and bond with her quite a bit.”
“My mom has beaten cancer three times,” Hoppus added. “Twice for breast cancer and once for the same cancer that I have, which is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.”
According to Lymphoma.org, “Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the United States and worldwide, accounting for about 22 percent of newly diagnosed cases of B-cell NHL in the United States. More than 18,000 people are diagnosed with DLBCL each year. DLBCL is an aggressive (fast-growing) NHL that affects B-lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are one type of white blood cell. B-cells are lymphocytes that make antibodies to fight infections and are an important part of the lymphatic system.”
The California native first told fans of his cancer diagnosis on June 23.
“For the past three months I’ve been undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. 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,” Hoppus shared on social media. “Months of treatment ahead of me but I’m trying to remain hopeful and positive. Can’t wait to be cancer free and see you all at a concert in the near future. Love you all.”
— mark hoppus (@markhoppus) June 23, 2021
On July 10, the “All The Small Things” singer shared that he was pending a test that would determine if he will “live or die” on Twitter.
“Apologies if I’m oversharing but it’s so surreal to think that this week I’ll take a test that may very well determine if I live or die,” he said in the tweet. “Thanks to everyone for the positive thoughts and encouragement. I read all your replies and it means the world to me.”
“I’m going to beat this through chemotherapy or through bone marrow transplants, but either way I’m determined to kick cancer’s ass directly in the nuts. Love to you all. Let’s. Heckin. Go.,” he added.
to beat this through chemotherapy or through bone marrow transplants, but either way I’m determined to kick cancer’s ass directly in the nuts. Love to you all. Let’s. Heckin. Go. pic.twitter.com/6ih3AEJq7y
— mark hoppus (@markhoppus) July 11, 2021
Additionally, Hoppus shared that if he beats cancer, he plans to get a tattoo to commemorate the battle being won.
“If I beat this cancer, I might get a tattoo to commemorate that, but I don’t know what I would get yet,” Hoppus explained.
