Andy Taylor has revealed he is hoping for ‘nuclear therapy’ after being diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer.
The 62-year-old Duran Duran star, who announced he had been diagnosed with terminal stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer, said he no longer expected to live long and now expects to be fully fit again.
Taylor was offered the life-saving treatment after the other band members revealed his frightening diagnosis in a letter read at her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November.
Taylor told the Rockonteurs podcast, “I’m starting my nuclear therapy.” I’ve had tests and scans and all sorts of far-flung scientific things done.
“I also have a wobble gene, which was another surprise, but what it is, it’s a nuclear drug, so at the stage I’m in, which was basically stage four, this therapy just recently came into the UK.” It’s very, very new.’
Update: Andy Taylor, 62, has revealed he hopes to undergo ‘nuclear therapy’ after being diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer
Health update: The Duran Duran star said he no longer expected to live long and now expects to be fully fit again (pictured in 2017)
He said the “new” drug could help him get back “fully fit” for at least “five years.”
He continued, “And essentially it’s a nuclear drug.” It’s put into your body and it sees the cancer on the outside of the cells. It just hits and destroys the cancer cells in your bones, which is mostly where it’s at for me. But if there is a healthy cell next to it, it does not touch it.
“So it’s not healing, but it can cause a stroke and then it has to start all over again, and from what used to be — I’m not even going to say what term they used to have for the thing — I can get back to full fitness.” I’m fine for five years.
“The band was great. We have a lot of things we’ve been working on in secret. I thought the solo album would be my last album, so that’s kind of changed.”
The guitarist said there was a flurry of offers of help following his diagnosis, including a letter read by band singer Simon Le Bon upon induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He added, “After that, a lot of really, really great people from all over the world got in touch with me.” T
“Here’s a guy called Sir Chris Evans who looked at everything for me and said, ‘No, there’s a lot more we can do for me.’ He did my genomics. He is a genius. He’s a biochemist. A bit like an Elon Musk of Cancer.
“And he really looked at that very carefully, looked at the genomics and said, ‘There are several ways we can help you.’
So sad: Taylor announced in November last year that he had been diagnosed with terminal stage IV metastatic prostate cancer (pictured in 2003)
Taylor said, “I’m starting my nuclear therapy.” I’ve had tests and scans and all sorts of far-flung scientific things done. It is a nuclear drug. At the stage I am in, which was basically stage four, this therapy was only recently launched in the UK. It’s very, very new.’ (pictured (left to right) Roger Taylor, Andy Taylor, John Taylor and Simon Le Bon)
“And the treatment I’m getting is probably the best.” Because I didn’t go to induction, I got my life back.
“I’ve never had chemotherapy. You know what happens with chemo, when you’re a guitarist you can lose your fingers.” I’ve always been able to use sophisticated drugs and stuff like that, but there comes a point where it’s either that treatment or nothing else that’s going to wash out the problem.
“And the first thing I always say when I go to the oncologist or urologist is, ‘Right, we need to protect your fingers,’ and I say, ‘Great, that’s a good start,’ because it can actually destroy them.”
Taylor also said a visit from Le Bon to his Ibiza home inspired him to get back to work on the band’s music and hinted that new tracks could be out soon.
He added: “Simon and Yasmin came to Ibiza and brought my award.” They just walked in with a large magnum of a fantastic Dom Perignon vintage.
“I was just doing shit with them and he was in my studio room at the house and we were just sitting there listening to music and stuff.”
“I cheered on the studio and he said, ‘Can I come over and work?’ I said, ‘Anytime mate.’ So he called me about five or six days later and said, “We’re going to make this album that’s kind of Halloween themed but looking back at material that had a big impact on everyone and reworking some Duran tracks that’s kind of dark like Night Boat.”
“He came back with Josh the engineer and I finished about nine tracks in a couple of days.”
“And the remastered version of the Duran stuff sounds really, really good.” I was completely blown away by the way they had reinforced the chords. There are a few new tracks. There’s a new title I’ve played on, fantastic.
“This third wave of success that the band is experiencing – I’m really proud to be a part of it.” “It’s quite nice to be a part-time member.”
New music: Taylor also said he was inspired to get back to work on the band’s music after visiting Le Bon and teased that fans wouldn’t have to wait long
Duran Duran’s new album is expected to be released later this year.
Andy had already left Duran Duran in 2006 before the album Red Carpet Massacre but was working on a new solo album when Covid broke out and before he found out he had cancer.
The solo album, titled Man’s a Wolf to Man, is now scheduled for release on September 8th this year.
He first noticed symptoms four and a half years ago when he felt “a kind of arthritic pain” and then noticed what felt like tumors on his neck.
Taylor said of the letter read at the introduction, “It only took me about 15 minutes to write it.” I was just like, “okay, heart to paper.” You can’t miss a thing and appreciate what they’ve done to keep things going. I’m the cat that gets the cream, Simon read it.
“I was sitting at home. I was only with my grandson, my daughter and this new cat who eventually became my little comfort. It was pretty surreal.’