Blink-182 Drummer Travis Barker Credits Esophageal Precancer Diagnosis for Quitting Smoking
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker revealed on the 'Big Bro with Kid Cudi' podcast that he quit smoking after being diagnosed with precancer of the esophagus. The 50-year-old musician stated that his physician, who is also a friend, warned him that the condition was a 'warning shot' to stop immediately. Barker admitted he had hoped to smoke until death, similar to Willie Nelson, but the diagnosis forced him to end the habit. He noted that he would not have quit without this medical intervention, highlighting the severity of the warning.
Key points
- Barker disclosed on the 'Big Bro with Kid Cudi' podcast that he quit smoking after receiving a diagnosis of precancer of the esophagus.
- His doctor, described as a friend, told him the condition was a 'warning shot' and instructed him to stop smoking immediately.
- Barker admitted he loved smoking blunts and had hoped to continue the habit until death, comparing himself to Willie Nelson.
- The musician stated that he would not have quit smoking without the diagnosis and the direct warning from his physician.
- This revelation follows previous disclosures about his past opioid addiction, which he attributed to a fear of flying and a 2008 plane crash.
Background
Barker has previously discussed his struggles with opioid addiction, which he linked to a fear of flying and a near-fatal plane crash in 2008 that killed three friends. He described the crash as his 'rehab' and noted that he developed osteoporosis from painkiller abuse. In 2021, he told Men’s Health that the crash was his wake-up call. Recently, he and his wife Kourtney Kardashian addressed rumors of a split, which Kardashian dismissed as fabricated TikTok content. The current revelation adds to his public narrative of overcoming severe health challenges through medical intervention and personal crisis.
Why it matters
Barker’s disclosure highlights the critical role of medical diagnoses in prompting lifestyle changes for public figures. It underscores the severity of precancerous conditions and the direct impact of physician warnings on behavior modification. For fans and followers, it provides insight into the health struggles of a prominent musician and serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of long-term smoking.
What to watch
No immediate follow-up actions are reported. Barker’s statement is a retrospective disclosure of a past medical event that led to a permanent lifestyle change. There is no indication of further medical updates or public appearances related to this specific diagnosis in the near term.
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