What type of cancer does Rob Hirst have? Midnight Oil drummer shares he tried "every treatment known to man”

In an interview with The Australian, published on April 14, 2025, Midnight Oil drummer, Rob Hirst, shared his journey of battling pancreatic cancer since 2023. As per reports, this is the first time he discussed his health issue. However, speaking about the progress, he said:

“It’s ongoing. I’ve had pretty much every treatment known to man – every scan, ultrasound, MRI. I’ve kind of had ‘the works.”

As per NME, the drummer shared that he was diagnosed with the illness six months after the band finished their farewell tour in Australia in 2023. Since then, he has undergone various treatments and received ongoing medical care. Concerning why he decided to speak about it, Rob Hirst, as quoted by the media outlet, said:

“Coming up to two years, I thought I just need to get this, literally, off my chest. Also, I think that the lesson for me – and maybe why I’ve lasted this long – is because, if you do have any of that kind of symptom, where there’s something that you feel is wrong, just go and get a simple blood test. It could be life-changing, and life-extending.”

Moreover, Rob Hirst explained that doctors found the cancer at stage three. His treatment included an eight-hour "Whipple" surgery that didn’t work, along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He also spoke out to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer, which he felt didn’t receive as much attention as other types like skin or breast cancer.

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According to Rob Hirst, the diagnosis came as a surprise to him

The interviewer, Andrew McMillen, shared that when he visited Rob Hirst at his home in Byron Bay in mid-March, Hirst was feeling better and taking a break from treatment after being treated for sepsis. Although his cancer had been caught early at stage three, and his condition had surpassed the original prognosis, he spoke about his future in terms of weeks or months.

His doctor called him a “star pupil” and said the cancer was currently stable, with checkups scheduled every six to eight weeks. Hirst’s wife, Lesley Holland, told McMillen:

“I guess that’s the thing with this ­disease. It looked like we were going to finally get to be free, and this little f**ker’s come and spoiled it.”

Andrew McMillen mentioned that Rob Hirst described the diagnosis as a big surprise, especially for a band like theirs, known for being health-conscious. He joked that they were known for barely touching drugs. That moment marked the beginning of a nearly two-year journey for him.

Each hospital visit caused Hirst to lose weight, but he regained it by eating well and enjoying Mini Magnums. He mentioned that working intensely in the garden helped him rebuild his strength, pointing McMillen to his backyard, which had been hit by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Rob Hirst believed that even though he had terminal cancer, the body could be stronger than the mind. He admitted that he had struggled with depression in the past. He explained that having goals, motivation, and a sense of purpose helped him keep going.

Hirst also mentioned a quote by John Lennon about life happening while people are busy making other plans, saying he found it very accurate.

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Also Read: Blink-182 member Mark Hoppus gets candid about cancer battle