Candi Staton: ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ singer diagnosed with breast cancer

Soul musician Candi Staton has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The “Young Hearts Run Free” and “You Got The Love” singer announced the news in a statement, encouraging women – “including elderly women” – to get a regular mammogram.

Staton decided to get checked after finding a lump during a self-check. She received the diagnosis on the first day of rehearsals for her new tour and begins 12 weeks of chemotherapy today (30 October).

“I‘ve been diagnosed with breast cancer,” she wrote. “After all I’ve gone through in my life – the domestic abuse, the bad relationships, alcoholism, fighting with record labels for royalties and all of that stuff – it’s the last thing I ever expected to go through, but I’m going through it and I plan to beat it.”

She continued: “I decided to keep it to myself and do some soul searching. I went through all of the emotions – denial, poor me and anger.”

The Alabama-hailing singer, known as the “First Lady of Southern Soul,” said that being on tour has helped her.

“It really helped me to be on the road, doing something I love to do, and was born to do.”

Staton launched her solo career in 1970 and released her 30th studio album Unstoppable in 2018.