Barry Manilow shares cancer diagnosis as surgery prompts concert cancellations

US singer-songwriter Barry Manilow has announced on Monday through Instagram that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer, prompting him to pause his scheduled concerts while he undergoes surgery.

"As many of you know I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks," the 82-year-old Grammy-winner wrote in the Instagram statement.

"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," he said.

Manilow included the new schedule for his concerts in his post, and said he expects to be feeling better by February since his treatment does not require radiation or chemotherapy.

"Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns," Manilow wrote, referring to a classic US sitcom.

The singer ended his post by urging people to get tested if they have any health concerns.

View this post on Instagram

Manilow, whose hits include songs Mandy, Copacabana and Can't Smile Without You, has a career spanning over 60 years.

He attended the New York College of Music and the Juilliard School, where he studied musical theatre.

Apart from being a songwriter, Manilow has also worked on numerous films, Broadway shows and television productions.

His acting included roles in the film Hellboy II: The Golden Army and the television shows Family Guy and Will and Grace.