Music icon Barry Manilow has delivered an uplifting message to his fans, sharing a positive health update following his recent lung cancer diagnosis. The 82-year-old singer took to Instagram on Friday to post a selfie from his hospital bed, reassuring his 118,000 followers that he is recovering well.
An Encouraging Message From Hospital
In the photo, the 'Copacabana' hitmaker can be seen wearing a green hospital gown, offering a soft smile to the camera. He captioned the simple yet hopeful image, 'Better Today!' The post prompted an outpouring of support from friends and colleagues in the music industry.
His backup singer, Melanie Taylor, commented, 'That’s my boss y’all! He’s making it through the rain! Love you B!' alongside prayer hand emojis. Drummer Matt Sorum added his well-wishes, writing, 'Heal up Barry, much love.'
The Road to Diagnosis and Treatment
Manilow first revealed his prognosis to fans in late December. He explained that doctors had discovered a cancerous spot on his left lung, which required surgical removal. Fortunately, the star confirmed he would not need to undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatment following the procedure.
The discovery came after the singer suffered from two separate, prolonged bouts of bronchitis. Even after recovering and returning to his Las Vegas residency, his doctor ordered an MRI as a precaution. Manilow described the early detection as 'pure luck' in a social media post last month.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a spot on the lung, known as a lung nodule, is common and often benign. However, evaluation is crucial due to its association with lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths.
Rescheduled Tour and a February Return
In his initial announcement on December 22, Manilow told fans he would be taking a break to focus on recovery, forcing the postponement of his planned January 2026 US tour. The tour was set to visit cities including Orlando, Tampa, and Columbus.
'The only follow-up is a month to recover and that means we will have to reschedule the January arena concerts,' he wrote, apologising for the inconvenience to ticket holders. He assured fans that his return to performing is imminent, stating, 'Something tells me February is going to be one big party...'
The entertainer, a longtime smoker who has switched to vaping in recent years, has been open about his habit. He told the London Evening Standard in 2012 that he started smoking at the age of nine. He was photographed vaping in Palm Springs just weeks before his diagnosis.
Manilow ended his health update with a crucial piece of advice for his followers: 'remember, if you even have the slightest symptom, get tested!'
