Coal Chamber and DevilDriver frontman Dez Fafara has issued a statement correcting widespread reports regarding his recently disclosed tumor diagnosis, emphasizing that he does not have a brain tumor or brain cancer.
Last week, Fafara publicly discussed a health issue he has been dealing with for the past two years during an appearance on The Garza Podcast. Following that interview, numerous outlets reported that the vocalist had been diagnosed with a tumor in his head. However, Fafara has now clarified that the benign growth is actually located on his saliva gland, not his brain.
Taking to social media, Fafara addressed the misinformation directly.
“READ CAREFULLY CAUSE PRESS HAS GOT IT WRONG!”
He continued:
“I DO NOT HAVE A BRAIN TUMOR
I DO NOT HAVE BRAIN CANCER
As reported and this is the problem with the internet!”
According to Fafara, doctors discovered the tumor after he suffered a sudden bout of vertigo and lost consciousness while preparing for a tour two years ago. The incident resulted in an ambulance trip and a lengthy series of medical tests, including an MRI scan.
“The VERTIGO was my body saying hey ‘you need to check some shit out!'”
Fafara went on to explain that a biopsy performed on Christmas Eve 2024 confirmed that the tumor was non-cancerous.
“The doctor came in and told me IT IS NOT CANCEROUS. What a fantastic Christmas Eve that was trust me.”
While the tumor remains in a delicate location near facial nerves, Fafara said doctors have opted against surgery for now due to the potential risks associated with the procedure.
“It is however in a very delicate spot & at this stage would be dangerous to operate on at its current size because that area affects your smiling your blinking facial nerves.”
The vocalist also revealed that the growth has shown no signs of increasing in size and may have actually become smaller during recent examinations.
“The last time we checked (I go in every 9 months) it had not grown in fact may have gotten smaller.”
Fafara remains optimistic about his condition and believes his healthy lifestyle and positive mindset can help him continue making progress.
“I live an incredibly healthy life & my MINDSET is that I’m going to make this thing shrink/go away which they have been known to do and if it can be done THEN I CAN DO IT!”
Addressing why he chose to share the diagnosis publicly after keeping it private for so long, Fafara pointed to the support he has received from the heavy music community throughout his career.
“For 30 years the heavy metal community, the heavy metal family have had my back and how long do you keep things from your family?”
Despite the ongoing monitoring of the tumor, Fafara noted that the condition has not impacted his ability to perform, record music, or maintain his daily routine.
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