Janet Jackson Denies Battling Throat Cancer
Sources reported the singer is battling throat cancer. (Photo: Getty Images)
Updated 12:02 pm, Jan 7: Janet Jackson has shared a video on her Twitter feed denying she is battling cancer, but offering no further detail to her medical condition.
She writes, “The rumors are untrue. I do not have cancer. I’m recovering.”
We wish Jackson all the best in her recovery.
RadarOnline.com is reporting that singer Janet Jackson, who recently announced she’s set to undergo surgery, has a tumor that could be cancerous.
“Doctors found a growth on Janet’s vocal cords that could be serious,” a source close to the 49-year-old the Jackson supposedly told Radar.
The singer shared on December 24th that she was postponing her world tour due to a medical issue, writing on Facebook and Twitter, “Hey you guys… Happy Holidays to each and every one of you. I need you to know, I learned today, from my doctors that I must have surgery soon. It breaks my heart to tell you that I am forced to postpone the Unbreakable Tour until the spring. Every date will be rescheduled. Please hold on to your tickets. They will be honored in a special way when the new schedule is announced. Please pray for me, my family and our entire company during this difficult time. There will be no further comment. I love you all so much and am ever grateful for your understanding and your love. Gon’ b alright.”
There are several different types of throat cancer, Miriam Lango, MD, a head and neck cancer surgeon at Fox Chase Cancer Center, tells Yahoo Health. “Cancers that involve the back of the tongue or tonsil are called oropharyngeal cancer, while those that involve the vocal cord are known as larynx cancers,” she explains. “Some throat cancers are caused by the human papilloma virus or HPV. Most cancers that involve the vocal cords are not caused by HPV but are more closely associated with a history of smoking.”
Most potentially devastating for a singer like Jackson, is that the voice box sits is also susceptible to throat cancer. The voice box is made of cartilage and contains the vocal cords that vibrate to make sound when you talk – and sing. “If only the throat is affected, the voice may be relatively well preserved with treatment,” Lango explains. “But with vocal cord involvement, it may be more difficult to preserve vocal function at the level demanded of professional singers or entertainers.”
If Jackson is confirmed to have throat cancer, there are a few different treatment paths. “Initially, a careful examination and biopsy are needed. It’s important to determine the extent of the cancer,” Lango says. “Imaging such as a CT scan or PET CT scan is also important and will help determine whether the cancer has spread to other areas. The extent of the cancer determines the type of treatment offered.”
This is the second time Jackson has taken a medical break on this tour. Concert dates were also put on hold in October so she could give her voice a rest.
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