Amid confirmed reports that he's in the studio, actively recording a follow-up to 2007's 'One for All,' original Kiss drummer Peter Criss made an alarming revelation this week: The 'Cat' has battled the Big C.

He says that in 2008, "I was diagnosed with breast cancer, but with early detection, my great doctor Alex Swistel and staff and the Lord above, who always looks over me, I am cancer-free today," Criss said in the posting, before raising awareness of the hard and simple fact that breast cancer is not a sex-specific disease.

The news of his diagnosis comes at a rather apropos time: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"I wanted to let you know, men get it like women do," he says. "Don't be afraid to let someone know if you have a lump. Do the right thing for you and your loved ones, and get it checked. Man or woman, there is no discrimination with breast cancer ... we all don't have nine lives."

Criss was instrumental in creating the Kiss sound, but hasn't played on a full Kiss LP since 1977's 'Love Gun.' Gene Simmons has said Criss was fired from the band, a statement by Paul Stanley has backed up.

More From Noisecreep