Rage Against the Machine’s Tim Commerford Reveals Cancer Diagnosis

Rage Against the Machine spent this past summer on tour, but at the time, fans didn't know bass player Tim Commerford was dealing with some serious health issues.

Now, Commerford has opened up to Spin about his recent battle with prostate cancer. He actually found out about the diagnosis and had treatment for it before the summer tour with Rage.

"I've been dealing with some pretty serious s---," he told Spin. "Right before I was about to go on tour with Rage, I had my prostate removed, and I have prostate cancer."

He added, "I've been someone that's taken a lot of pride in being in shape and taking care of myself. But it's something where either you're either lucky or not."

As for how he learned of his diagnosis, Commerford said, "I went to get life insurance but my PSA numbers were up. I couldn’t get it. They wouldn’t insure me. Eventually, they did a biopsy and found out I had cancer, so they took my prostate out."

He added that he wishes he had looked into his health more after getting some initial warning signs. "I had been thinking, well, because they’re watching it and let it get to this point, maybe it’s not that big of a deal," he explained. "I blame myself. I should have said, ‘my numbers are elevated and what does that really mean?’ I should have taken it more seriously. I should have looked into alternate therapy instead of getting sucked into the most disgusting, capitalistic machine on the face of the planet: the medical establishment."

"I’m just trying to grab ahold of the reins," he added. "It’s gonna be a long journey, I hope. My dad died in his early 70s from cancer and my mom died from cancer in her 40s. Split the difference to 65 and I’ve got 10 years. I’m trying to get to the 100-song mark — I have some goals now. Songwriting has become a catharsis for me."

The good news is that Commerford shares says he just got my six-month test, and it came back at zero.

"I was like, 'F--- yeah!' That’s the best I can feel for the rest of my life," he said. "Every day I get closer to that test is like, 'F--- man, is this going to be the time when the number is going to go up and I’m going to the next thing, whatever that is?’ I already went through some pain and shit. And I’m continuing to go through like, some crazy s---."