Even making music - which is pretty much my life - takes a back seat to my family and my health

Eddie Van Halen

The guitarist admitted in April that he had undergone treatment for cancer, although the type was not revealed.

Speaking to the golfing magazine Maximum Golf, he said: "The way I look at it is like this, I've run too many red lights and gotten away with it for a long time, but it kinda caught up with me.

"I believe that God doesn't lay this on you unless you're supposed to learn something,"

Golfer

Van Halen has been an avid golfer for many years and choose the August issue of the golfing publication to share his battle.

The 44-year-old is married to actress Valerie Bertinelli, with whom he has a son, Wolfgang.

He said: "Sometimes when things are in front of your face, you don't see them. It seems simple, but all that really matters to me is my son and my wife.

"Even making music - which is pretty much my life - takes a back seat to my family and my health."

Last May, Van Halen was treated at a clinic in Houston, Texas. At the time he was said not to have cancer but to be taking part in clinical trials to help prevent tongue cancer.

He is a long-time smoker and reformed alcoholic.

Renunion

He also revealed he had talked to David Lee Roth about reuniting Van Halen for an album and tour.

He told Maximum Golf: "Everything looked pretty positive about getting together.

"But before you know it, attorneys are involved. These cats had me so beat down and confused... everything seemed to fall apart after these guys got involved.

"I mean, we used to do it on a handshake. At this point, I don't have a clue what's going on."