‘I Literally Beat Cancer on My Liver’: ‘Breaking Bad’ Actor and ‘Machete’ Star Danny Trejo, 77, Privately Fought Cancer & Now Has New Memoir

Trejo has credits in nearly 400 films and TV shows and he also holds the record as the actor who has been killed the most times onscreen. Trejo, a Mexican-American, is also an advocate for diversifying Hollywood and getting more minorities in positions of power.

What is Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer affects approximately 42,000 Americans per year, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Causes of this disease may include excessive alcohol consumption or a family history of liver cancer.

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Several different types of liver cancer exist, and the most common is hepatocellular carcinoma. Symptoms of this disease may include abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, decrease or loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea and jaundice.

In 2019, Trejo revealed his private battle with liver cancer, after he beat the disease. He says that, as a result of his cancer, he’s discerning about what he puts into his body.  He tells The Sun, “I’m scared to death of taking too many pills, you know, I literally beat cancer on my liver so I don’t want to start putting stuff in there.”

Trejo knows “cancer doesn’t discriminate. You can be healthy, but it’ll still get to you. I always had a good lifestyle but I got the bug.”

The actor’s cancer couldn’t be treated with chemo, he says. “I had a 10-centimeter tumor in my liver and they said it was too big to start chemo. So they gave me injections right into the tumor, three times, seven needles and boom.”

After six months of treatment, Trejo was told he was cancer-free.

What To Do When Colon Cancer Spreads to the Liver

Keeping a Cancer Battle Private

Many people chose to keep their cancer battles private for myriad reasons. Health is a highly personal matter, and it’s up to you, and you alone, who you choose to share your diagnosis with.

Related: Olivia Newton-John Remembers Kelly Preston, Who Kept Her Cancer Battle Private & Reveals Why She Went Public With Her Own Diagnosis So Many Years Ago

Sharing news with others can feel cathartic, but some may prefer to work through their feelings independently. When telling someone you have cancer, you’re often put in the position of managing their emotional response to your news, which may be tiring and emotionally draining. Honor your comfort zone and do what feels best and right for you.

Deciding When and Who to Tell About My Diagnosis Became a Burden

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