Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) shares the help that James Hetfield (Metallica) gave him after his diagnosis

Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine has shared new details about his 2019 battle with throat cancer—a diagnosis first uncovered during a routine dental checkup—in his memoir “In My Darkest Hour”, published earlier this month, as per MetalInjection. In an excerpt featured by “Metal Hammer”, Mustaine reflects on the wave of support he received from family, friends, and peers across the metal community, specifically highlighting outreach from Ozzy Osbourne, KISS‘s Paul Stanley, and his former Metallica bandmate James Hetfield. Mustaine noted that Hetfield’s support, in particular, left a deep and lasting impression on him during the ordeal.

I don’t want this to sound like my getting cancer was the impetus for some sort of cease-fire between Megadeth and Metallica. That fight had been over for years. But wounds leave scars, even after healing, so it would be inaccurate to say that James and I were best buddies. But we have a shared history that will always be deep and profound; I care about him, and I know that he cares about me. Hearing from him just as I was about to begin treatment, when I was at a pretty low point, meant a lot to me. Fuck the drama. Be a human being. And don’t do it for clout or likes on social media. Pick up the damn phone and reach out. Privately. One to one. That’s what James did.

Even before my diagnosis and recovery, I’d like to think that I was not an ungrateful person, that I had evolved and matured to the point where I could look at the people in my life – my wife and kids, my friends, my bandmates, past and present; the career I had built – and realize that I was a hell of a lot more fortunate than most people. But as soon as I was diagnosed with cancer, something clicked. I realized that I couldn’t beat this thing alone, that I was about to engage in the hardest battle of my life, and that I had an army on my side. I had spent a lot of time – wasted time, really – reflecting on all the shitty things that had happened to me instead of how good things were.

And suddenly none of it seemed to matter; none of it was worth an ounce of energy. All that mattered was getting better and having more time with the people I loved, more time to write and perform songs. More time. This was my reality check: appreciate what you have, and stop whining and complaining about what you don’t have or what you lost. Take this terrible thing that is happening to you and learn from it, even as it’s ripping you apart.

Upcoming shows:

• Tuesday, September 22, 2026 – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL, US
• Friday, September 25, 2026 – BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, CA, US
• Sunday, September 27, 2026 – BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, CA, US
• Tuesday, September 29, 2026 – Alamodome, San Antonio, TX, US
• Saturday, November 07, 2026 – Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
• Sunday, November 08, 2026 – Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
• Wednesday, November 11, 2026 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, Australia
• Friday, November 13, 2026 – AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
• Sunday, November 15, 2026 – Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia
• Wednesday, November 18, 2026 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
• Thursday, November 19, 2026 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
• Tuesday, March 09, 2027 – The O2 Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
• Thursday, March 11, 2027 – OVO Arena Wembley, London, United Kingdom
• Friday, March 12, 2027 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, United Kingdom
• Saturday, March 13, 2027 – Co-Op Live, Manchester, United Kingdom
• Monday, March 15, 2027 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff, United Kingdom
• Tuesday, March 16, 2027 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow, United Kingdom
• Thursday, March 18, 2027 – Bp Pulse LIVE, Birmingham, United Kingdom
• Friday, March 19, 2027 – First Direct Arena, Leeds, United Kingdom
• Sunday, March 21, 2027 – Zénith Paris – La Villette, Paris, France
• Tuesday, March 23, 2027 – Forest National, Brussels, Belgium
• Wednesday, March 24, 2027 – AFAS Live, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Thursday, March 25, 2027 – Mitsubishi Electric Halle, Dusseldorf, Germany
• Saturday, March 27, 2027 – K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
• Sunday, March 28, 2027 – Oslo Spektrum, Oslo, Norway
• Tuesday, March 30, 2027 – Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany
• Thursday, April 01, 2027 – Velodrom, Berlin, Germany
• Friday, April 02, 2027 – Tauron Arena, Krakow, Poland
• Sunday, April 04, 2027 – Zenith, Munich, Germany
• Monday, April 05, 2027 – Festhalle Bern, Bern, Switzerland
• Tuesday, April 06, 2027 – Unipol Forum, Milan, Italy
• Thursday, April 08, 2027 – Halle Tony Garnier, Lyon, France
• Saturday, April 10, 2027 – Olimpic Arena, Barcelona, Spain
• Monday, April 12, 2027 – Movistar Arena, Madrid, Spain
• Tuesday, April 13, 2027 – Sagres Campo Pequeno, Lisbon, Portugal