Aretha Franklin says her health problem “has been resolved,” but did not disclose what it was or confirm recent reports that said she had pancreatic cancer.
In November, the 68-year-old “Queen of Soul” canceled all concert dates and personal appearances through May 2011 by order of her doctors. she underwent surgery at a Detroit hospital on December 2 and said it was successful but did not specify her ailment.
“I don’t have to talk about my health with anybody other than my doctors,” JET magazine quoted Franklin as saying recently. “The problem has been resolved.”
she said that she felt pain on her side during a concert in Canada last year and a CAT-scan revealed her ailment.
“I know my fans are concerned,” Franklin told the magazine. “Let them know I am feeling great and coming along.”
recent reports have said Franklin is battling pancreatic cancer, the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.
the disease and is difficult to treat because it is often found late and symptoms are usually not apparent in its early stages. Actor Patrick Swayze died of the disease at age 57 in 2009.
Risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer include smoking, hereditary disorders, chronic pancreatitis and long-term diabetes. Franklin has for years been overweight, a condition that can lead to several health ailments, including Type 2 diabetes and various forms of cancer.
Franklin was the target of an online death hoax in late December, following news of the death of Teena Marie, an R&B singer often dubbed the “Ivory Queen of Soul.”