Johnny Ruffo revealed last month that he was undergoing treatment for brain cancer.
The 29-year-old revealed to Daily Mail Australia that he went to hospital with a migraine, only to discover that he had to have a tumour removed.
And now in Monday’s New Idea, the former Home And Away star spoke candidly on his personal battle, saying: ‘Without the operation, there was a 100 per cent certainty I would have died because of the pressure on my brain.’
‘There was a 100 per cent certainty I would have died’: Former Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo, 29, spoke candidly on his brain cancer battle in Monday’s New Idea magazine, after undergoing emergency surgery to have a tumour removed
Johnny emerged from theatre at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on August 7 with 27 staples in his head and 95 per cent of the tumour removed.
‘The other five per cent was too close to nerve endings to get it out. If they had tried and something went wrong, it could potentially have caused paralysis all down the left side of my body,’ the Channel Seven personality explained.
Recalling the first few days following surgery, Johnny said: ‘I was talking garbage, even worse than usual (laughs). But within days I was back to being myself again. I felt a lot better, lighter. I was confident, I was just sure it was all fine.’
Emergency surgery: Johnny emerged from theatre at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on August 7 with 27 staples in his head and 95 per cent of the tumour removed
Things however took a turn for the worst, discovering the growth in his brain was a rare cancer affecting only three per cent of brain cancer patients.
Johnny has begun chemotherapy and radiotherapy but remains positive on the outcome, encouraging his fans to ‘stay positive if they’re going through bad times’.
The star, who rose to fame on The X Factor Australia, told Daily Mail Australia mid last month, that he went to hospital with a migraine, before being rushed into emergency surgery.
Staying strong: Johnny, who rose to fame on The X Factor Australia, told Daily Mail Australia mid last month, that he went to hospital with a migraine, before being rushed into emergency surgery
Support system: The personality has been supported through his battle with girlfriend Tahnee Sims, 23
Nothing but love: Johnny has been dating dancer Tahnee Sims for almost two years (pictured in March)
‘On Sunday I went into hospital with a migraine. I had to have emergency surgery to have a brain tumour removed,’ he said.
‘I am on the mend and feeling positive. Keep me in your thoughts.’
Fans sent Johnny well wishes on social media, with one commenting: ‘Please get better soon and sending a lot of love your way.’
Another wrote: ‘Sorry to see and hear this. Hope you have a good recovery. Prayers and thoughts are with you.’
Johnny’s management also shared an Instagram photo of Johnny in hospital after the operation, adding: ‘You are in our thoughts and Prayers Ruffo. We love ya.’
Notoriety: Johnny is pictured on Channel Seven soap Home and Away, where he played Chris Harrington
Triple threat: Johnny is a man of many talents – a singer, actor and dancer
Read more: The full interview is featured in this week’s New Idea magazine, on sale now