Barry Manilow, 82, reveals he is battling lung cancer
Share and Follow

On Monday morning, Barry Manilow disclosed via an Instagram post that he is facing a battle with lung cancer.

The 82-year-old singer, famous for his hit “Copacabana,” informed his followers that a cancerous spot was found on his left lung, which will soon be surgically removed. He confirmed that he would not undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

Manilow explained that the discovery came after he had an MRI following several weeks of suffering from bronchitis, leading to the detection of the spot.

According to the Mayo Clinic, such a spot, known as a lung nodule, is frequently benign but requires assessment because of its potential association with lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

Manilow, who has been a smoker for much of his life and recently transitioned to vaping, revealed to the London Evening Standard in 2012 that he began smoking at the tender age of nine.

He was seen vaping last week in Palm Springs in photos obtained by Daily Mail.

Barry Manilowis battling lung cancer he revealed on Monday morning with an Instagram note. The 82-year-old Copacabana singer shared with his fans that he has a spot on his lung that will be removed surgically soon. Seen in 2024

Barry Manilowis battling lung cancer he revealed on Monday morning with an Instagram note. The 82-year-old Copacabana singer shared with his fans that he has a spot on his lung that will be removed surgically soon. Seen in 2024 

Seen on December 17 with appeared to be a vape pen on a rare outing in Palm Springs

Seen on December 17 with appeared to be a vape pen on a rare outing in Palm Springs 

His statement was posted early in the morning with white type on a black background. 

‘As many of you know I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks,’ he wrote.

‘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 is was found so early. That’s the good news.’

Then he said he needs to take a break. ‘The bad news is that now that the Christmas Gift Of Love concerts are over I’m going into surgery to have the spit 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.’

The hit-maker was supposed to hit the stage for U.S. tour dates in January 2026. He was going to visit nine major cities including Orlando, Tampa, Charleston, Greensboro and Columbus. ‘The only follow-up is a month to recover and that means we will have to reschedule the January arena concerts … I’m very sorry that you have to change your plans,’ he wrote.

Manilow said that he will be performing again in February. ‘Something tells me February is going to be one big party … I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and remember, if you even have the slightest symptom, get tested!’

He has talked about his smoking habit with the London Evening Standard over a decade ago. ‘Well, I smoked for 30 years. I started when I was nine years old. I grew up in Brooklyn,’ he said. ‘Then I stopped about 15, 20 years ago. Then I just started in Las Vegas and the band and I went down to a little club and somebody offered me a cigarette. And I was back.

‘Within a week I was back. Not on a pack a day, ’cause when I was really smoking I was on three packs a day – non filters. Oh yeah. I was a great smoker.’

Pictured performing at The Grammys on February 1 in Los Angeles

Pictured performing at The Grammys on February 1 in Los Angeles

Over the years Manilow has experienced multiple health woes including vocal cord issues, bronchial infections and throat cancer, which was successfully treated after its discovery in 2020.

He told the publication that he traded his heavy cigarette smoking habit for vaping over a decade ago.

Manilow added that vaping may not work for everybody, but it works for him. ‘Do they work? They do for me, my band and my crew, all of us who hated smoking but couldn’t stop,’ Manilow told The Evening Standard.

The Copacabana hitmaker has been seen vaping in public and at events before.

Manilow, who is private about his personal life, wed his longtime partner Garry Kief in 2014; pictured with Garry in 2016 in Beverly Hills

Manilow, who is private about his personal life, wed his longtime partner Garry Kief in 2014; pictured with Garry in 2016 in Beverly Hills

The Mandy singer has overcome numerous health issues over the years, including bronchial pneumonia, a mouth tumor, heart problems and hip surgery, and admitted he’s amazed he can still put on a show.

He told the Daily Mirror newspaper in 2019: ‘I’m fine, I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’m very old, I should not be able to do this.

‘You saw me going up those stairs on stage – there’s 14 steps up and 14 down, you would think I should be in a wheelchair or something.’

He’s also said his love of music and performing is what keeps him going.

The singer who ‘writes the songs that make the whole world sing’ has much more music yet to produce, he told Palm Springs Life in 2015.

‘And it’s a good thing I wound up successful in music, because if I didn’t do this, I’d be in trouble,’ he added.

‘Because I don’t know how to do anything else. And it’s really all I’m interested in. You’d think, after all these years, I’d have found all the colors that interest me — I’ve recorded pop, big band, Broadway, jazz … everything — but there’s always something more I haven’t done.’

WHAT IS A SPOT ON A LUNG? 

 

Information courtesy the Mayo Clinic  

A cancerous spot on the lung, called a lung nodule, is common and often benign, but needs evaluation due to its link with lung cancer, the leading cancer killer. 

Mayo Clinic emphasizes that size, age, smoking history, and nodule growth (or lack thereof over time) help determine cancer risk, often requiring further imaging (PET, CT) or a biopsy (like robotic bronchoscopy) to confirm if it’s cancer or something like a past infection. 

Early detection is key for better outcomes, so doctors monitor suspicious spots or take tissue samples for definitive diagnosis.

Key Factors for Suspicion (Mayo Clinic Perspective)

Size: Larger nodules (over 20mm) have a higher chance of being cancerous.

Growth: A growing nodule is more concerning than a stable one; stability over years usually means it’s not cancer.

Patient History: Age (over 50), smoking history, asbestos exposure, and family history increase risk.

Appearance: Spiky or irregular shapes often raise more concern than smooth, round ones.

How It’s Evaluated

Initial Scan: A spot appears on a chest X-ray or CT scan.

Comparison: Doctors compare with old scans to check for changes.

Further Imaging: A PET scan shows cellular activity (high activity suggests cancer/inflammation).

Biopsy: A tissue sample (biopsy) is often needed, using techniques like robotic bronchoscopy for small spots.

Next Steps if Suspicious

Monitoring: Small, low-risk nodules are watched with periodic CT scans.

Intervention: If cancer is likely, treatments like surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy are considered.

Specialized Care: Mayo Clinic uses multidisciplinary teams (radiologists, surgeons, oncologists) for complex cases like multifocal cancer.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
DOJ forced into Epstein files U-turn after Trump photos vanished

DOJ Backtracks on Epstein Files: Missing Trump Photos Spark Controversy

The Department of Justice recently found itself in a tricky situation regarding…
Patriots use rally to top Ravens after Lamar Jackson's injury exit

Patriots Mount Comeback Victory Over Ravens Following Lamar Jackson’s Injury Departure

BALTIMORE — The rest of the NFL may have enjoyed a brief…
Illinois officers crawl under burning car to save trapped driver in dramatic Interstate 88 rescue

Brave Illinois Officers Risk It All to Save Driver Trapped Under Burning Vehicle on I-88

In Illinois, early Sunday morning, police officers demonstrated remarkable bravery by crawling…
Fisherman survives near-fatal shark attack with own lifesaving care, instincts that kept him alive

Heroic Fisherman Defies Odds: Survives Shark Attack with Quick Thinking and Self-Rescue Tactics

A fisherman from Hawaii has shared his harrowing experience after a life-threatening…
Ashley Darby Spills On Hookups With ‘RHOP’ Alum Charrisse Jackson-Jordan’s Son: “I Thought That Charrisse Would See Me On Her Security Cam And We Would Get Busted”

Ashley Darby Discusses Encounter With ‘RHOP’ Alum Charrisse Jackson-Jordan’s Son: “I Feared Being Caught on Security Footage

Ashley Darby recently shared intriguing details about her brief romantic encounter with…
Mock funeral held for the penny at Lincoln Memorial as 230-year coin production ends

Farewell to the Penny: Lincoln Memorial Hosts Mock Funeral as 230-Year Coin Production Ceases

In a unique and symbolic gathering, individuals congregated in the heart of…
Barnes & Noble rebuttal against bookshop that blames closure on chain

Barnes & Noble Fires Back: Unpacking the Blame Game with Local Bookstore Closure

The CEO of Barnes & Noble has responded assertively to claims from…
Woman put into Witness Protection says it nearly ruined her life

From Safety to Struggle: How Witness Protection Almost Destroyed My Life

A woman, who was thrust into the Witness Protection Program at just…