John Farnham’s sons open up about their father’s ‘brutal’ cancer diagnosis: ‘It started off as an ulcer’

John Farnham’s sons have shared intimate family moments in an effort to raise money for cancer research. 

Rob and James Farnham, who are ambassadors for the Caner Council’s annual Daffodil Day fundraising drive on August 22, took to Rob’s Instagram on Wednesday to share a series of heartwarming family snaps.

The clip showed Rob, 44,  and James, 46, talking about their iconic father’s cancer journey over a carousel of rare family photos. 

‘Our father was diagnosed with cancer two years ago,’ Rob said in the video.

‘The last couple of years have been difficult on our family.

‘So it started off as an ulcer inside his mouth and, we found out it was cancer. It was a pretty brutal time for us all,’ he continued.

James added that initiatives like Daffodil Day had played a crucial role in his father’s survival.

‘Our Dad wouldn’t be here without cancer research and that’s why days like Daffodil Day are important,’ he said.

Rob then urged followers to get behind the important cause by donating online or finding a flower stall. 

‘This Daffodil Day, for everything that cancer takes, please give,’ Rob concluded.

One image in the carousel showed John standing proudly with Rob and James on the slopes, decked out head to toe in ski gear on a family vacation.

Another showed John, apparently dressed as Adam Ant standing next to Rob at what appeared to be a fancy dress party.

One image in the carousel showed John standing proudly with Rob and James on the slopes, decked out head to toe in ski gear on a family vacation

Another featured John in his element, onstage with Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Both pictured

A third image featured John in his element, onstage  with Coldplay’s Chris Martin at the Sound Relief bushfire benefit concert at the SCG in 2009.

There was also a sweet throwback snap of John and wife Jill beaming broadly at an event, with both sporting flowers on their lapels.

A more recent shot showed John, in proud dad mode, standing alongside Rob during his February wedding to wife Melissa. 

Sadly, John will unlikely to ever perform again after undergoing a marathon surgery to remove the tumour from his mouth in 2022.

The operation, carried out by 26 medical staff, also saw a major part of his jaw removed and, 12 months after the surgery Farnham revealed that he was cancer free.

A more recent shot showed John, in proud dad mode, standing alongside Rob during his February wedding to wife Melissa

He had only discovered he had the cancerous growth in his mouth after his wife Jill insisted on taking him to the doctor for a check up when he developed a persistent mouth ulcer. 

Appearing on Sunrise earlier this month, the brothers gave an encouraging update on John’s  cancer battle.

‘He’s doing really well,’ Rob said.

‘Every day is another step, and a step forward, as it is for everyone with cancer,’ he said.

‘And he’s just gotta keep moving forward and keeping positive, and you know, keep driving forward.’

At one point during the segment Rob appeared moved when Sunrise shared with viewers a photo of John at his son’s wedding in June.

The picture, showing a smiling John next to his son in his wedding tux, went viral after Rob shared it to his Instagram soon after the nuptials.

‘Our Dad wouldn’t be here without cancer research and that’s why days like Daffodil Day are important,’ James said