Reports: Aretha Franklin Has Pancreatic Cancer
By Audrey Morrison
Wed, 08 Dec 2010 23:34:59 GMT
Soul singer Aretha Franklin released a statement on Thursday, December 2 announcing that she underwent a highly successful surgery, but the reason for the operation was not clear until now.
On Wednesday, The Detroit News spoke with a source familiar with the situation who said that Franklin has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, an illness which the report pointed out has a poor prognosis.
The Fox news station in Detroit spoke with a close family member of Franklin who said that the legendary singer was doing "OK," and that those close to the 68-year-old Natural Woman singer are very concerned.
Franklin, who gained fame for her powerful voice in the 1960s, remains a musical favorite. She was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and recently made headlines as the only featured singer at President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009.
The 'Queen of Soul' had been busy at work on her concert tour before the cancer diagnosis.
A direct representative for Franklin could not be reached, but it was announced that the she has canceled all concert appearances through May 2011 due to medical reasons.
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