Country music icon Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 following 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 surrounded by loved ones.
Publicist confirms death
In a statement issued to media outlets on Tuesday (25 August), publicist Marcel Pariseau 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."
The statement added: "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."
It continued: "Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly's unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact."
Nephew pays tribute
The specific type of cancer was not revealed. News of Parton's death broke late on Tuesday via an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also served as head of security for the star.
He described it as "an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness" to announce her passing, adding: "But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens." Parton's husband Carl Dean passed away last year, aged 82.
Oncologist highlights warning signs
Following the star's passing, a cancer specialist has outlined key warning signs that people should be vigilant about, including several that are frequently dismissed or overlooked. Persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss or a cough that won't clear up are commonly put down to ageing, a hectic schedule or a stubborn virus, reports Wales Online.
Dr Jiri Kubes, a radiation oncologist and Medical Director at Proton Therapy Center, highlighted that one of the most widespread misconceptions is the belief that cancer invariably triggers severe pain or obvious symptoms right from the start. Early indicators are frequently subtle and can be easily confused with more routine ailments.
"One symptom on its own rarely points to cancer, and the vast majority of people experiencing these symptoms will not have cancer," he said. "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."
Dr Kubes noted that cancer-related fatigue is often described as an overwhelming exhaustion that doesn't improve with sleep, while a persistent cough that lingers or progressively deteriorates shouldn't be dismissed, especially if accompanied by shortness of breath, chest discomfort or blood in sputum. Unexplained weight loss despite normal eating habits is also among the symptoms medical professionals always wish to examine.
"One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting for symptoms to become severe before seeking help," Dr Kubes said. "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," he added. "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."
