Music icon Barry Manilow has shared a significant health update with his fans, revealing a diagnosis of lung cancer. The 82-year-old singer announced that he will undergo surgery to remove a cancerous spot, which was fortunately discovered at an early stage.
Early Detection Following Illness
In a statement posted on Instagram on Monday, 22nd December, Manilow explained the sequence of events that led to the discovery. He detailed a recent bout of illness, stating he had suffered through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse lasting another five weeks.
Although he had recovered and returned to his residency at the Westgate Las Vegas, his doctor ordered a precautionary MRI. This scan identified the problematic area. "The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed," Manilow wrote. He credited "pure luck (and a great doctor)" for the early find.
Tour Dates Rescheduled for Recovery
The "Copacabana" singer confirmed that the immediate consequence of his diagnosis is the postponement of several upcoming performances. With his Christmas concerts completed, he will now focus on his treatment.
"The bad news is that now that the Christmas Gift Of Love concerts are over I’m going into surgery to have the spot removed," he stated. He provided reassuring details about his prognosis, noting doctors do not believe the cancer has spread, a diagnosis further tests will confirm.
Manilow emphasised that his treatment plan does not involve chemotherapy or radiation. He humorously outlined his prescription as "just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns." His primary follow-up will be a month of recovery, which necessitates rescheduling his January arena concerts. New dates have already been announced.
A History of Health Challenges
This is not the first time Barry Manilow has faced a cancer diagnosis; he previously underwent treatment for throat cancer in 2020 and made a swift recovery. The singer has been open about his long history with smoking, having started the habit at the remarkably young age of nine and smoking heavily for decades.
He has since switched to vaping but has admitted to occasional relapses. Beyond cancer, Manilow's medical history includes bronchial pneumonia, a mouth tumour, heart issues, and hip surgery. Despite these challenges, he has continued to perform, often expressing amazement at his own stamina.
Looking ahead, the veteran performer promised fans he would return to the stage for his scheduled February dates in Las Vegas, set around Valentine's Day. "Something tells me that February weekend is going to be one big party!" he optimistically declared.
