Over the past several days, Danny Trejo, who is widely recognized for his portrayal of Tortuga, a drug smuggler, in the critically acclaimed television series Breaking Bad, has disclosed his personal struggle with liver cancer. In an interview with The Sun, the actor revealed his issue while marketing his new product, “Giddy,” which is an alternative to Viagra that can be worn.
It was a horrific experience that Trejo kept hidden from his loved ones and close acquaintances, but he eventually admitted that he had been diagnosed with liver cancer. “I’m afraid to death of taking too many medications, you know, I actually overcame liver cancer so I don’t want to start putting anything in there,” he openly confessed with the magazine. “I’m afraid to death of taking too many medications.”
The revelation gives light on a difficult period in the actor’s life that he was going through. As a result of the size of the tumor, which measured 10 centimeters in diameter, the doctors could not administer chemotherapy to him because of its size. Instead, he was subjected to a series of injections, which most likely referred to selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), a treatment that involves injecting radioactive beads into the bloodstream of the liver in order to stop the spread of cancer.
The fight was fought in silence. As Trejo reflected on the secrecy that surrounded his diagnosis, he said, “I frequently remark that I have only survived in silence.” He made a sarcastic reference to the patience of his secretary, who had to listen to his complaints “like a tiny child” in silence.
Not only was the actor’s decision to remain silent a personal one, but it was also a requirement for his professional career. In the event that Trejo disclosed his condition, he was concerned that it could put his acting contracts, particularly his part in Breaking Bad, in jeopardy. Due to the fact that he was aware that unintended weight loss is one of the primary symptoms of liver cancer, he made sure to take measures to keep his weight stable even while he was fighting cancer.
There are still 6,200 new cases of liver cancer recorded in the United Kingdom every year, making it a widespread worry. In many cases, the existence of the disease can be observed through the manifestation of symptoms such as exhaustion, a lack of vigor, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort.
Even though there were obstacles, Trejo was able to emerge victorious from his war in silence. It took six months for the physicians to determine that he was cancer-free after they administered three injections directly into the tumor.
Many others who are confronted with comparable health issues might draw inspiration from Trejo’s narrative, which serves as a reminder of the resiliency and courage that are frequently concealed under the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.