Home And Away star Johnny Ruffo has said he is starting treatment for brain cancer.

The former X Factor Australia contestant recently had surgery for a brain tumour after he went to hospital with a migraine.

He shared a photograph of himself in a beanie hat, captioned: “So i have the news. It was a bit of a shock and i’ve got an interesting journey ahead and a bit of a battle.

“I am starting agressive treatment for the next few months to fight the diagnosis of brain cancer. Please stay positive for me and ill try to update you guys on my progress  xx”

Last week Ruffo, 29, shared a picture of his head after the operation for the tumour, in which a huge incision that has been stapled together along his hairline can be seen.

Ruffo – who played Chris Harrington in Home and Away – previously promised the Australian Football League team he supports in Melbourne that he would be back watching games before long.

When Essendon FC wrote a message of support on Twitter, Ruffo replied: “I’ll be back watching games before you know it, now let’s charge towards the finals.”