Kylie to undergo treatment
2005-05-18 07:23
Sydney - Pop icon Kylie Minogue may enter hospital as early as Wednesday after disclosing she is suffering from breast cancer, Australian media reported, as anxious fans worldwide flooded websites with messages of support.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by her management company, which said she would undergo immediate treatment after postponing the Asian and Australian legs of her Showgirl tour.
Minogue is expected to enter hospital in Melbourne later on Wednesday or Thursday, the Australian Associated Press and other media reported.
"I think all Australians feel for her and wish her well," said Prime Minister John Howard.
The singer, who found fame in the 1980s in the soap opera Neighbours before a pop career which has seen her sell an estimated 40 million records, has apologised to fans for the postponement of the shows but said she hopes to be back soon.
"I was so looking forward to bringing the Showgirl tour to Australian audiences and am sorry to have to disappoint my fans," said Minogue, 36, in a statement on Tuesday.
'She's a fighter'
"Nevertheless, hopefully all will work out fine and I'll be back with you all again soon."
Promoter Michael Gudinski said Kylie had a few tough weeks ahead of her.
"The one thing I know about Kylie is, she's a fighter, and we're all thinking very, very positively and can't wait for the day she is smiling and back in action," he said.
"All our thoughts, I'm sure all of Australia's and the world's thoughts will be with her."
At present, Gudinski said, it was time for her to be at home with her family in Melbourne "and I think you'll find she'll be in hospital in the next couple of days".
Fan websites were flooded with messages of support and notes of sympathy were delivered to her parents' home in Melbourne, where she is believed to be staying.
Minogue is believed to have had a quiet lunch on Tuesday with fellow Australian pop idol and breast cancer survivor Olivia Newton-John shortly after receiving her diagnosis, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Support from friends, family
She is understood to be staying with her parents Carol and Ron at their home in the Melbourne suburb of Canterbury.
Her brother Brendan is also believed to be there, as is Minogue's French partner Olivier Martinez, who cancelled a flight back to Los Angeles to be with her. Sister Dannii is believed to be coming home from London.
Friends and supporters expressed shock but some said her misfortune could help save other women's lives.
In London, Minogue's former on and off-screen Australian boyfriend Jason Donovan expressed shock and concern.
Donovan, currently starring in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in London's West End, said: "My thoughts are with her and her family at this difficult time.
"I sincerely wish her well with her treatment. Kylie is a strong woman who will fight this battle on every front."
Gudinski said Minogue's experience was a lesson to all women to keep checking themselves for breast cancer.
"This whole thing with Kylie now will just bring it to a further head, so if anything good can come of it, the more and more people who have the check-ups and the earlier it can be detected, the better."