Australian Idol star confirms mystery health battle
Stan Walker says he feels “healthy” and on the way to recovery after his stomach was removed as it was discovered to be cancerous.
The Australian Idol star’s heartbreakingly honest documentary – titled Stan – aired in New Zealand on Sunday night (no date has been confirmed for Australia yet) and revealed for the first time his battle with cancer for the past nine months.
The Australian-Kiwi singer was diagnosed with early stages of cancer caused by a rare gene that runs in his family when he made the decision to remove his stomach.
The doco explains how the cancer has claimed the lives of 25 members of Walker's family, including his grandfather, who died due to complications with his surgery.
Walker received the same operation as his grandfather.
"He had the gene, he had the cancer, and he died from the operation," says Walker in the documentary.
"Last night was the first time I got emotional, because, oh my gosh, I'm getting the same operation that my koro did.
"I didn't really think about it for a while, but he used himself like a guinea pig."
Walker’s surgery was successful but he continues to battle health difficulties, explaining his drastic 30kg weight loss.
Throughout the documentary, Walker describes his biggest fear of no longer being able to sing – and the utter joy he felt after performing his first gig since the operation earlier this year.
"I felt alive just being on stage for the first time in a long time," he says. "I was back being me doing what I do."
The 27-year-old remained optimistic, telling fans in an Instagram video on Sunday: “I had cancer. I'm alive b*****s!”
“The doco is cool, it gets to show the whole journey of what's happening over the last nine months and what's still happening. I'm not there yet but I'm on my way and I'm healthy,” he adds