Entertainment | Aretha Franklin Aretha Franklin Has Cancer: Relative Surgery was for pancreatic tumor, says National Enquirer By Nick McMaster Posted Dec 8, 2010 5:33 PM CST Copied In this Jan. 11, 1987 file photo, soul singers James Brown and Aretha Franklin sing during a Home Box Office taping at the Taboo night club in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rob Kozloff, FILE) The undisclosed illness that required Aretha Franklin to undergo surgery last week is cancer, a relative tells Fox 2 News In Detroit. The 68-year-old singer abruptly canceled shows last month on doctors' orders but didn't give specifics on why. The National Enquirer says the cancer is pancreatic, notes PopCrunch. Click here for more details. After her surgery last week, Franklin issued only this statement: "The surgery was highly successful. God is still in control. I had superb doctors and nurses whom were blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country. God bless you all for your prayers!" Today, the Rev. Jesse Jackson told AP that his longtime friend is "recovering very well." Read These Next New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. White House rolls with Trump's 'daddy' nickname. Man accused of killing his daughters might be dead. Supreme Court ruling is a big blow to Planned Parenthood. Report an error