AceShowbiz -

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler has revealed in an interview with US entertainment TV show Access Hollywood, set to air Tuesday night Sept 26th, that he has secretly been battling hepatitis C. It is a blood-borne infection that can potentially lead to fatal liver damage, including cirrhosis or liver cancer.

The rock singer told host Nancy O'Dell he was diagnosed three years ago but had contracted hepatitis C several years earlier without manifesting any symptoms. He subsequently endured a year's worth of pills and injections containing the antiviral drug interferon.

Further Steven says he once underwent a year of interferon treatments three years ago when Aerosmith took a break. "You know, it really hurt. It was a bad, bad period." Fortunately, after all the treatment Steven says he's okay. "It is nonexistent in my bloodstream...where it's like a complete cure," the man says.

"Hepatitis C is the one that, of all the people in this room, at least three have it and don't know it," he adds. "It's the silent killer. I may go on Oprah and talk about this. I hope you don't mind me mentioning that." Thus, Steven plans to talk more openly about his struggle with hepatitis C in the future to raise public awareness.