The Beastie Boys have been back in the lab working on their 8th album Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 1, leading to people to believe that Adam “MCA” Yauch had recovered from his bout with cancer. Also leading to the speculation was Mike D’s remarks on BBC’s Radio One where he said he was “very happy” MCA had been cured of the disease.

Mike D appeared to be getting ahead of himself, as MCA sent a letter to Beastie Boys’ email subscribers letting them know he isn’t out of the woods just yet. “While I’m grateful for all the positive energy people are sending my way, reports of my being totally cancer free are exaggerated,” Yauch said in the email. “I’m continuing treatment, staying optimistic and hoping to be cancer free in the near future.”

Adam Yauch was diagnosed with cancer in July of 2009. A cancerous tumor was discovered in his left salivary gland that required immediate surgery.