Barry Manilow is opening up about his lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The 82-year-old music legend revealed in December 2025 that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Now, he's sharing details about his experience for the first time in an exclusive interview with People magazine. Manilow has also announced his new album, 'What a Time,' which will be released on June 5.
His health scare began in November 2025 when he experienced hip pain. During a doctor's visit, an MRI of his pelvis was ordered. When his doctor learned that Manilow had recently battled bronchitis twice, additional lung scans were recommended. The tests revealed the diagnosis: stage 1 lung cancer.
Four weeks later, Manilow entered the hospital for a lobectomy to remove the cancerous portion of his lung. The surgery went well, and he spent a week recovering in the ICU before going home. "I don't remember it, thank goodness, because it was a nightmare," Manilow says of his hospital stay. "I'm one of the lucky ones; I don't have to have chemo, radiation, and all that stuff."
Lung cancer is one of the most common, most dangerous, and most frequently talked about forms of cancer in the world. For decades, diagnoses and deaths continued to rise due to the lack of a known cure. However, a shift is underway. As awareness of lung cancer's causes grows, the number of new cases has been declining since 2008. Despite this progress, lung cancer remains the most common cancer in many parts of the world, and much work still lies ahead.
Read on to learn everything you need to know to better protect yourself and your loved ones from lung cancer.