# Travis Barker reveals he had ‘precancer of the esophagus’ prior to quitting smoking: ‘I only quit because I got diagnosed’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/travis-barker-reveals-he-had-precancer-of-the-esophagus-prior-to-quitting-smoking-i-only-quit-because-i-got-diagnosed/
- Published: 2026-11-13T03:02:40+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T03:19:17+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Post (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://pagesix.com/2026/11/12/celebrity-news/travis-barker-reveals-he-had-precancer-of-the-esophagus-before-he-quit-smoking/
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Barker says an oesophageal precancer diagnosis made him quit smoking.
- A trusted doctor described it as a warning to stop.
- He has also discussed overcoming opioid dependence after a 2008 plane crash.

## Summary

Travis Barker says a diagnosis of precancer of the oesophagus prompted him to stop smoking. The Blink-182 drummer said he had continued smoking heavily because he enjoyed it, and that a doctor he trusted warned him the diagnosis was a serious signal to quit.

Barker, 50, said he might not have stopped without that warning. He also recounted past opioid dependence, which he linked to anxiety about flying; he has said a near-fatal plane crash in 2008, in which three of his friends died, became his turning point. He previously described an 11-week hospital stay after the crash and said he disposed of his drugs after leaving hospital.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.