Legendary singer and songwriter Barry Manilow announced he's undergoing surgery for lung cancer but is telling fans not to worry because doctors caught it early, and he doesn't have to undergo chemotherapy.
What they're saying:
"As many of you know I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks," he posted on Instagram. "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."
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Manilow said the "bad news" is that once he completes his current run of concerts, he will undergo surgery to have the affected spot removed. Doctors do not believe the condition has spread, and he is undergoing additional tests to confirm their assessment.
"So that’s it," he said. "No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns."
He also urged others to seek medical attention, reminding people that even the slightest symptom should be checked.
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What's next:
Manilow said he expects his recovery to take about a month, and his arena shows scheduled for January will be rescheduled. He added that he is already "counting down the days" until he can return to the stage.
Lung cancer statistics
Dig deeper:
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lungs.
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Lung cancer, including both small cell and non-small cell types, is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer among men and women in the United States, excluding skin cancer.
By the numbers:
According to the American Cancer Society’s projections for 2025, the U.S. is expected to see approximately 226,650 new lung cancer cases—about 110,680 in men and 115,970 in women—and roughly 124,730 deaths from the disease, including 64,190 men and 60,540 women.
Lung cancer primarily affects older adults, with most diagnoses occurring in people aged 65 and older; very few cases are found in those under 45, and the average age at diagnosis is around 70.
The Source: The information in the story comes primarily from Barry Manilow’s own statements shared in a post on his official Instagram account, where he detailed his recent health issues, diagnosis, and treatment plan. Additional context about lung cancer prevalence and statistics is drawn from data published by the American Cancer Society, which provides national estimates and background information on the disease. This story was reported from Los Angeles.