Morrissey has undergone a series of procedures to remove cancerous tissue from his body during the period of ill-health suffered since the start of 2013.
As The Guardian points out, when in interview with El Mundo Morrissey described how doctors removed cancerous tissue on four separate occasions during various hospital visits these past two years, when he’s been diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer and double pneumonia, among other things.
“They have scraped cancerous tissues four times already, but whatever,” he has said. “If I die, then I die. And if I don’t, then I don’t. Right now I feel good. I am aware that in some of my recent photos I look somewhat unhealthy, but that’s what illness can do. I’m not going to worry about that, I’ll rest when I’m dead.”
Morrissey was advised by doctors to retire from touring after the spate of ill health, but told El Mundo he would find it difficult as playing live is ‘very ingrained within me’.