‘Terrified’: John Farnham bares all about his surgery, dark thoughts – and voice

Australian music legend John Farnham has shared his personal journey through oral cancer. Diagnosed in August 2022, Farnham reflects on the harrowing experience of facing cancer and undergoing a 12-hour surgery that ultimately saved his life.

"Getting rid of that tumour and having all that treatment saved my life, there’s no doubt about that," he recalls. Yet, the journey was far from easy, as the physical effects of the surgery and the emotional toll pushed him into dark places.

Farnham openly admits to having struggled with thoughts of never singing again, a fear that haunted him. "One of the things that contributed to my dark thoughts was thinking I’d never be able to sing again in public. Now, almost two years later, I am still not sure that I ever will," he says. The facial disfigurement from surgery made it difficult for him to speak or eat properly, let alone sing. "I can’t open my mouth wide enough for a strip of spaghetti, let alone to sing a top C."

Despite these challenges, Farnham remains hopeful. He finds solace in the fact that his vocal cords have not yet been damaged by the radiation treatment and continues to sing at home, finding joy even in small moments like "wailing in the shower." 

John Farnham's story is a powerful reminder of the strength it takes to face Head and Neck Cancer and its aftermath. As he navigates his recovery, he remains a source of inspiration for many in the Head and Neck Cancer community.

Read his story on the Sydney Morning Herald

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