Detroit newspaper reports Aretha Franklin has pancreatic cancer

[deltask8er]

The 68-year-old Queen of Soul announced in November that she was taking six months off under doctor's orders, but did not reveal the nature of her condition.

She underwent a procedure at a Detroit hospital last Thursday and released a statement calling the surgery "highly successful," praising her "superb doctors and nurses who were blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country."

http://www.detnews.com/article/20101...en-with-cancer

[Wyliefan]

Oh, poor lady. So that's what was wrong. Pancreatic is an especially nasty kind, isn't it?

[MikiAndoFan#1]

[Rob]

Isn't that what Patrick Swayze had? I believe it grows without symptoms for a quite a long time so by the time they find it, it is very hard to treat. An acquaintance of mine recently died of it just about 4-5 months after her diagnosis.

[bobalina77]

My Grandpa was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died not long after about 5 years ago. He was in his 90's, but had the healthiest lifestyle of any of us lol. It was quite a shock to say the least.

It is a nasty disease.. I wish her well..

[liv]

Oh, poor lady. Best wishes to her.

I have heard that that form is indeed particularly nasty. I knew someone who died 6 weeks after getting the diagnosis.

[skateycat]

The most common form is indeed very nasty.

There is a rare form, the sort that Steve Jobs of Apple had, that is more treatable.

[Rex]

I'm devastated. Poor Aretha...

[ChelleC]

[DubbalinGirl]

Both Swayze and Pavoratti had this. My grandmother died about 6 weeks after being diagnosed. It's a tricky one because usually by the times you show symptoms it is much too late to do anything.

I wish her the best; I hope the surgery works!

[IceAlisa]

Not good.

[Carmen Ovsiannikov]

I had read about Aretha earlier today but didn't post since at that time the quotes were still coming only from a story in the Enquirer. I was hoping it wasn't true.

[Lara]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Like everyone's said it's not good at all.

[ArtisticFan]

I hate to hear this type of diagnosis for anyone. But it is very hard to take when someone seems larger than life as Aretha Franklin seems. I hope for the best for her.

[TalentedButHumble]

I'm devastated. Poor Aretha...

This is one of those celebrity situations that's really hit me hard.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I adore her. I have some Aretha stories, vague encounters/ near encounters here in Detroit. I like her so much I even named a main character in one of my current scripts "Re" (Aretha) in her honor.

[Rex]

This is one of those celebrity situations that's really hit me hard.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I adore her. I have some Aretha stories, vague encounters/ near encounters here in Detroit. I like her so much I even named a main character in one of my current scripts "Re" (Aretha) in her honor.

Wow. It sounds like you've met her. I'd like to hear more.
I've always been concerned for her mainly b/c of her weight. And now this.
She is definitely an American icon. And in my prayers tonight.

[IceAlisa]

OK, I thought I'd look up risk factors for this cancer and so far I see pancreatitis, alcohol and smoking. Of course you don't HAVE to drink or smoke to get it. Also, diabetes (not sure which one but am guessing type 2) and I think Aretha has diabetes.

Eating lots of fruits and veggies may protect against it, specifically cruciferous veggies. Eat your Brussel sprouts, people!

[snoopysnake]

Dear Aretha, I will pray for you. May your faith keep you strong at this difficult time. God is with you.


Such sad news.

My grandmother died of pancreatic cancer at age 98. She wasn't diagnosed until 3 weeks before she died.

[paskatefan]

OMG, this is such shocking news! My thought and prayers are with her.

[mrinalini]

There is a rare form, the sort that Steve Jobs of Apple had, that is more treatable.

Speaking of Jobs, I wouldn't be surprised if he's still suffering from something considering how gaunt and sickly he's been looking these days.

I really hope that Aretha's case isn't so serious and that she pulls through it. Celebrity deaths have been happening in threes recently, and what with Leslie Nielsen and Elizabeth Edwards' passings, please let it not be that Aretha is next.