John Mellencamp’s daughter said in a new podcast that her cancer hasn’t returned.
WASHINGTON — Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave has clarified her father’s comments from earlier this month that she is “suffering” living with stage 4 cancer.
John Mellencamp took to the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast Wednesday, Jan. 14 and briefly talked about his personal life and daughter, who is “really sick.”
“She’s got cancer in the brain, and she’s suffering right now,” he said of his 44-year-old daughter and former “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star.
Teddi Mellencamp said on the Jan. 28 episode of the “Two T’s in a Pod” podcast, which she co-hosts with Tamra Judge, that her father wasn’t referring to changes in her physical health, according to People.
“You know, I think when he said the words ‘suffering,’ he meant like, how I’m mentally doing versus how I’m physically doing,” she said.
She went on to explain that her cancer hasn’t returned.
“I’m still considered stage four and I’m still in immunotherapy, so essentially nothing’s changed other than I still — I don’t feel great … I would hope that I would be feeling better by now, but I really don’t,” she said.
Teddi Mellencamp was diagnosed with melanoma, or skin cancer, in 2022 and last year said the cancer had metastasized, or spread, to her lungs and brain.
She began sharing her story on social media after her diagnosis, offering insight and support for those going through the same situation.
Melanoma is the deadliest and most invasive form of skin cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
It’s one of the most common cancers in people under 30 years old and mainly impacts women with fair skin, blonde or red hair and blue eyes, the clinic said.
Early screening is important and highly encouraged for people who have existing moles, a family history of skin cancer or a history of intense sun exposure.