Adjusting to Life After Undergoing Cancer Treatment
- “Iron Maiden” rock star Bruce Dickinson, 67, reflects on life after throat cancer treatment, saying 33 radiation sessions and weeks of chemotherapy changed his voice but ultimately helped him reach higher notes.
- He explains he had to relearn how to sing post‑treatment, adapting to physical changes and developing a new technique to preserve his signature sound.
- Dickinson believes his cancer was caused by HPV, a widespread virus transmitted through sexual contact. According to the National Cancer Institute, HPV is linked to several cancers, including cervical and throat cancers.
- Fortunately, HPV-related throat cancers tend to respond well to treatment, particularly when addressed with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.
- The HPV vaccine—such as Gardasil 9—protects against nine strains of the virus, including HPV 16, which is responsible for 92% of head and neck cancers. It’s a powerful tool in cancer prevention.
After completing an intense treatment regimen, which included 33 rounds of radiation and several weeks of chemotherapy, Dickinson says the aftermath unexpectedly left his voice slightly better equipped to reach higher notes. Still, he had to relearn how to sing with a post‑treatment instrument.
Expert Resources for Oral Cancer Patients
- Having Oral Sex With Multiple Partners Can Increase Risk for Throat Cancer, Says New Study
- ‘Controversial’ HPV Vaccine Shown to be Highly Effective in Wiping Out Cervical Cancer
- A Major New Effort Announced to Vaccinate Young Boys Against HPV and Cancers Linked to Sex
- Busting the Myths About the HPV Vaccine
How Oral Cancer Reshaped Bruce Dickinson’s Voice—and His Perspective
Bruce Dickinson, legendary frontman of Iron Maiden, has long been known for his powerful vocals. But after a throat cancer diagnosis in late 2014, he began to notice subtle shifts in his voice—changes he attributes to the physical toll of the disease and its treatment. “The shape of possibly the back of my tongue, which forms vowel sounds and things like that, might have changed shape slightly because, obviously, it had a big lump in it, and the lump’s gone. So maybe the surface has changed shape,” Dickinson explained.
“So, I notice a few differences. Funny enough, the top end of my voice is maybe even a little bit better than it was before.”
The first signs of trouble came during live performances when Dickinson realized something was off with his voice. A visit to the doctor revealed two tumors—one of them alarmingly large.
“I had a three-and-a-half centimeter [tumor] – basically a golf ball – living down at the base of my tongue right at the base… So, that was sitting there for, I really don’t know how long, by the time it got big enough to notice,” he told Yahoo News.
Fortunately, the cancer was caught early. Dickinson underwent seven weeks of intensive treatment, including radiation therapy—a process that uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells.
“You can imagine getting rid of that with radiation – the inside of my head has been cooked pretty effectively,” he told the BBC, as reported by the U.K.-based outlet Express.
In May 2015, Dickinson was officially declared “cancer-free,” marking the end of a harrowing chapter and the beginning of a new era in his career—one where resilience and reinvention take center stage.
HPV-Linked Head and Neck Cancers Have Surged 300% Since the 1980s, Experts Warn
The rate of HPV-related head and neck cancers has skyrocketed over the past few decades—a trend that has medical experts sounding the alarm.
“From the 1980s to the 2010s, the rate of HPV-related head and neck cancers has gone up by 300 percent,” said Dr. Ted Teknos, a head and neck cancer specialist and president and scientific director of University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio, in an interview with SurvivorNet.
While not all oral cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)—the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S.—there is a well-established link between the virus and certain types of head and neck cancers.
RELATED: Why the HPV Vaccine Is So Important in Preventing Cancer
WATCH: Understanding the Human Papillomavirus
According to Dr. Allen Ho, a head and neck surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, HPV infection is incredibly common among Americans.
“The vast majority of humans in the United States, both men and women, will eventually get infected with HPV,” Dr. Ho told SurvivorNet.
However, only a small fraction of those infected are at risk of developing cancer.
“The important thing to know about HPV is that there are many different strains, and only a couple of them tend to be more cancer-inducing,” Dr. Ho explained.
“Probably less than 1 percent of the population who get infected happen to have the cancer-causing virus that somehow their immune system fails to clear, and over 15 to 20 years it develops from a viral infection into a tumor and cancer.”
Treatment for HPV-related oral cancers often involves surgery to remove the tumor, but may also include chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted drug therapies. In advanced cases, these treatments can affect a patient’s ability to eat or speak, although rehabilitation therapy can help many regain these essential functions.
The rise in HPV-related cancers underscores the importance of prevention, early detection, and public awareness—especially when it comes to the life-saving potential of the HPV vaccine.
Bruce Dickinson Attributes His Throat Cancer to HPV—Here’s What You Should Know
Dickinson claimed his throat cancer was caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)—a common but often misunderstood virus.
HPV is “a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex,” according to the National Cancer Institute. While many sexually active individuals will contract HPV at some point in their lives, the virus is linked to several serious cancers.
Though HPV is most commonly associated with cervical cancer, its reach extends far beyond. The virus is also known to cause cancers of the throat, vagina, penis, anus, and vulva. In fact, HPV is believed to be responsible for:
- 90% of anal and cervical cancers
- Approximately 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers
- Around 60% of penile cancers
Despite its widespread impact, screening options remain limited—especially for throat cancer.
“There are no screening guidelines to screen for throat cancer, unlike cervical cancer with pap smears,” said Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, in an interview with SurvivorNet. “There are no standard tests to determine if you harbor the virus.”
The good news? HPV-related throat cancers tend to respond well to treatment.
“The cure rates for people who have HPV-related disease are a lot higher than those who have tobacco-related throat cancer,” Dr. Geiger explained.
Dickinson’s experience highlights the importance of HPV awareness—not just for women, but for everyone. With no routine screening for throat cancer, prevention through vaccination and education remains a critical tool in the fight against HPV-related diseases.
Protecting Against HPV: Why the Vaccine Matters More Than Ever
Nearly 80 million Americans are currently living with human papillomavirus (HPV), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While most people won’t experience serious health issues, for a small percentage, HPV can lead to cancer.
To reduce that risk, health experts strongly recommend the HPV vaccine, which protects against the strains most likely to cause cancer.
What the Vaccine Covers
Gardasil 9, the most widely used HPV vaccine, offers broad protection.
According to the National Cancer Institute, it guards against “nine HPV types: the two low-risk HPV types that cause most genital warts, plus seven high-risk HPV types that cause most HPV-related cancer.”
One of the most dangerous strains is HPV 16, which is responsible for 92% of head and neck cancers. The vaccine triggers an immune response that prevents infection from this strain, making it a powerful tool in cancer prevention.
“The key with the vaccine is that you receive it before you have sexual encounters,” explains Dr. Geiger. “So that’s why these vaccines are approved for young children ages 9, 10, 11 years old, up to age 26.”
Who Should Get Vaccinated—and When
- The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for all male and female preteens at ages 11 to 12, administered in two doses spaced six to twelve months apart.
- The series can begin as early as age 9.
- Teens and young adults through age 26 who didn’t start or complete the vaccine series should still get vaccinated.
- Those who begin the series between ages 15 and 26 or who have weakened immune systems should receive three doses instead of two.
While adults over 26 can still receive the vaccine, it’s generally less effective, as many have already been exposed to HPV. Still, individuals up to age 45 may choose to get vaccinated after consulting with their doctor about potential benefits.
WATCH: Should children get the HPV Vaccine?
Changing the Conversation Around HPV
Vaccine hesitancy remains a barrier, often rooted in concerns that the vaccine encourages early sexual activity. To counter this, many health professionals are shifting how they talk about it.
“I think rebranding the vaccine as a cancer vaccine, rather than an STD vaccine, is critically important,” says Dr. Teknos.
Dr. Teknos believes that focused efforts to “change the mindset around the vaccine” can make a meaningful difference.
By reframing the HPV vaccine as a powerful tool for cancer prevention, experts hope to boost vaccination rates—and protect more lives in the process.
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are concerned about your cancer risk related to the human papillomavirus or whether HPV caused the cancer you have, you can use one of the conversation starters below when talking with your doctor:
- I am unsure if I received the HPV vaccine when I was younger. What can I do to know for sure?
- If I experience symptoms that could be caused by HPV, what tests can I undergo to determine?
- How can I know if HPV caused the cancer I have?
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