14 DAY TRIAL // Earlier this week, soul singer Aretha Franklin underwent emergency surgery for an unknown condition. The Internet is now ablaze with rumors that the diva has been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer and has only 5-10% chances of survival.
PopCruch reports that it all started from a piece in the National Enquirer, saying that the singer had been diagnosed with the form of cancer that also claimed the life of actor Patrick Swayze last year.
After word of this spread online, a family member spoke to a Detroit radio station, confirming that, indeed, Franklin had been diagnosed with cancer, but not saying whether it was pancreatic or otherwise.
According to the Enquirer, doctors made the diagnosis this summer, when Aretha needed medical attention after falling in the shower and breaking a rib. Also then, they reportedly told her she had less than a year to live.
“Tabloid tattles claim the ‘Respect’ singer has been given less than a year to live, with her advanced age (she’s 68) and massive weight lowering her odds of recovery,” PopCrunch writes, adding that the Enquirer is known to hit the mark with some of its more outlandish stories.
“A Franklin family insider, who asked not to be identified, tells the Detroit press that Ms. Aretha does, in fact, have cancer. The relative said that the singing legend is doing well for now, but the family is still very concerned about her prognosis,” the e-zine further writes.
The spy makes no mention of pancreatic cancer and is clearly not able to offer more details on the singer’s condition. So far, a publicist for Franklin has been unavailable for comment.
This week, after she came out of surgery, the singer reassured fans that she was doing well, saying she had “superb” doctors and that “God is still in control.”
She’s also been receiving frequents visits from Rev. Jesse Jackson and this in itself does nothing in terms of making the cancer rumors go away.