Country music legend Dolly Parton has died aged 80 after a brief battle with cancer, her publicist has confirmed. The singer, known for hits including 9 To 5, I Will Always Love You and Jolene, passed away at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.
Her publicist Marcel Pariseau shared the news on Tuesday (August 25). A statement said: “After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.”
Type of cancer not disclosed
The type of cancer Parton had was not disclosed. In the wake of her death, an oncologist has explained common cancer symptoms people should look for, including some that are often ignored or overlooked, reports Wales Online.
Persistent tiredness, unexplained weight loss and a cough that refuses to go away are frequently blamed on getting older, a busy lifestyle or a lingering virus. But according to one cancer specialist, these are among the symptoms people too often ignore for months before finally seeking medical advice.
While most ongoing symptoms will have a harmless explanation, doctors say it is important not to dismiss changes that are persistent, unexplained or noticeably different from what is normal for you.
Persistent fatigue and a lingering cough
Dr Jiri Kubes, radiation oncologist and medical director at Proton Therapy Center, said one of the biggest misconceptions is that cancer always causes severe pain or dramatic symptoms from the outset. Early warning signs are often subtle and can easily be mistaken for far more common conditions.
He said: “One symptom on its own rarely points to cancer, and the vast majority of people experiencing these symptoms will not have cancer. The important thing is persistence. If something continues for several weeks, keeps returning or simply doesn’t feel right for you, it’s always worth getting checked rather than assuming it will eventually go away.”
Persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest is something doctors take seriously. Dr Kubes said: “Cancer-related fatigue is often described as an overwhelming exhaustion that doesn’t improve with sleep. There are many possible explanations, including anaemia, thyroid disorders, infections and poor sleep, but persistent fatigue should always be discussed with your GP if it isn’t improving.”
A cough that persists or gradually worsens should not be ignored, particularly if accompanied by breathlessness, chest pain or coughing up blood. Dr Kubes said: “A persistent cough doesn’t automatically mean cancer. In fact, there are many more common causes. However, if it continues beyond a few weeks or behaves differently from a typical cough, it’s sensible to have it assessed.”
Unexplained weight loss warrants investigation
Losing weight without changing diet or exercise habits can sometimes be an early sign that something is wrong. Dr Kubes said: “If you’re losing weight despite eating normally and haven’t intentionally changed your lifestyle, it’s important to understand why. Often there will be another explanation, but it’s not something that should simply be overlooked.”
He added: “One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting for symptoms to become severe before seeking help. Cancer doesn’t always announce itself dramatically, and many of the early warning signs are vague and easily explained by more common conditions.”
“The important thing isn’t to become anxious about every cough or ache, but to pay attention to symptoms that persist, keep returning or simply don’t feel normal for you. In many cases they’ll turn out to have a harmless explanation, but if something more serious is going on, getting it checked early gives us the best possible chance of diagnosing and treating it successfully.”
