Singer-songwriter Barry Manilow has revealed he will undergo surgery to remove a cancerous spot on his lung.
Manilow, one of the biggest stars of the 70s and 80s, said it was “pure luck” that doctors found the spot early when he had an MRI following weeks of bronchitis.
The 82-year-old, known for a string of hits including Copacabana, Could It Be Magic and Mandy, said doctors do not believe it has spread and he will not need chemotherapy or radiation.
In a statement on Instagram, he said: “As many of you know I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks.
“Even though I was over the bronchitis and back on stage at the Westgate Las Vegas, my wonderful doctor ordered an MRI just to make sure that everything was OK.
“The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed.
“It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early. That’s the good news.”
He went on to say the “bad news” is that after finishing his latest run of concerts, he is “going into surgery to have the spot removed”.
“The doctors do not believe it has spread and I’m taking tests to confirm their diagnosis.
“So that’s it. No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns.”
He issued a reminder to people that “if you have even the slightest symptom” to get tested.
Manilow said he will need a month to recover and his arena concerts planned for January will be rescheduled.
He said he was “counting down the days” until he can return to performing. (BBC)
