The 72-year-old music icon was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in December 2023 and underwent emergency surgery shortly after.

In a new interview with People published on Wednesday, the When a Man Loves a Woman hitmaker opened up about his journey with the disease, which has affected his short-term memory, speech and mobility.

"You're reaching into your resources and your resolve in a way that you never would have thought," Bolton explained. "Succumbing to the challenge is not an option. You're really quickly drawn into a duel. I guess that's the way you find out what you're made of."

During his surgery in 2023, doctors were able to completely remove the Grammy winner's brain tumour, but he underwent a second operation due to an infection. He also completed a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in October.

Bolton undergoes MRI scans every two months to ensure the tumour has not returned and his latest scan earlier this month was clear.

According to the Glioblastoma Foundation, the recurrence rate for glioblastoma is around 90 percent.

The To Love Somebody singer went on to say that he is choosing to remain hopeful about his prognosis.

"Whenever you find yourself in any kind of challenging position, just to know that you're not alone going through it is a big deal," he told the outlet. "It actually helps people to know. It reminds them that they're not alone."

Elsewhere in the interview, Bolton said the experience had given him a "heightened sense of appreciation".

"I think we develop capabilities and problem management, and we learn how to make the best out of a bad situation," the father of three explained. "You have to be a cheerleader for yourself."