Rage Against The Machine bassist Tim Commerford diagnosed with prostate cancer

Rage Against The Machine bassist Tim Commerford has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The 54-year-old musician underwent surgery to remove his prostate gland two months before he joined the band for their first tour in 11 years this summer.

Commerford told Spin magazine: "I’ve been dealing with some pretty serious s**t. Right before I was about to go on tour with Rage, I had my prostate removed, and I have prostate cancer.

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The Killing In The Name rocker said that as someone who took pride in being fit and healthy he had really struggled with the diagnosis and it had changed his whole life.

He said: "With everything that happens to me now, I wonder, am I feeling this way because I have cancer? Am I losing my hair because I have cancer? Whatever it is, it makes me wonder if it’s happening because I have cancer.

"And prostate cancer is a very, very, very tough one because it’s connected to your sexuality. It’s hard to disconnect from that and when you’re forced into that situation, it’s a brutal psychological journey."

Commerford admitted he ignored the symptoms when the PSA levels in his blood tested high and he was refused medical insurance.

He said: "I blame myself. I should have said, ‘My numbers are elevated and what does that really mean?’ I should have taken it more seriously."

But the Testify singer - who has two sons - feels positive following his successful treatment and vowed to keep writing songs.

He said: "I’m trying to get to the 100-song mark — I have some goals now. Songwriting has become a catharsis for me."

Rage Against The Machine were founded in 1991.

Read more: Sir Michael Parkinson shares a lesser-known side effect of prostate cancer treatment

They held the Christmas Number One slot in the UK Singles chart in 2009 after a successful Facebook campaign to get the band to the top of the charts and keep off the winner of The X Factor, which had dominated the Christmas charts for the four previous years.

Watch: Rage Against The Machine performed together for the first time in 11 years this summer