Published Aug 9, 2024

Heart Singer Ann Wilson, 74, Insists She Has ‘Much More To Sing’ As She Takes a Break From Performing To Undergo Cancer Treatment

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Deciding On Whether To Work Through Cancer

Ann Wilson, the lead singer of Heart, recently announced she’ll be taking a break from performing as she undergoes cancer treatment. The specifics into the type of cancer she’s battling haven’t been revealed, but one thing is for sure—her dedication to her fans and determination to return to the stage is undeniable.
Some people can still work and go through cancer treatment, but others, like Ann Wilson, may want to take a break from work and focus on getting better. What you can do will depend on your stage of cancer, your treatment, and how you feel.
“We always encourage people to continue to work if they are able to,” says Sarah Stapleton, a clinical social worker at Montefiore Medical Center. “I think it creates a sense of normalcy for patients.”
If you’re able to work, you’ll be busy and you won’t be worrying all the time about how your treatment is going, Stapleton explains.

Singer-songwriter Ann Wilson, the lead singer of the American-Canadian rock band Heart, recently announced she’ll be taking a break from performing as she undergoes cancer treatment, but she’s insisting she’ll return to the stage soon as she has “much more to sing.”

The 74-year-old 80s music icon, who performs with her guitarist and vocalist sister Nancy Wilson with their beloved band known for hit songs like “Alone,” “These Dreams,” and “Magic Man,” shared the news with her fans this summer. However, she did not reveal what type of cancer she’s battle. Regardless, her determination to return to work/doing something she loves is certainly admirable and something other cancer warriors can look up to.

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A post shared by Ann Wilson (@annwilson)

Wilson’s publicist released the following statement to announce her hiatus from performing to recover, “Dear friends. I underwent an operation to remove something that, as it turns out, was cancerous. The operation was successful and I’m feeling great but my doctors are now advising me to undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy and I’ve decided to do it.

“And so my doctors are instructing me to take the rest of the year away from the stage in order to fully recover.”

The statement continued, “To the ticket buyers. I really do wish we could do these gigs. Please know that I absolutely plan to be back on stage in 2025. My team is getting those details sorted & we’ll let you know the plan as soon as we can.

“Thank you for all the support. This is merely a pause. I’ve much more to sing.”

Wilson concluded with, “Love, Ann Wilson. Respectfully, this is the last public statement I’d like to make on the matter.”

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A post shared by Ann Wilson (@annwilson)

The official Instagram page of the band, which was formed in 1973 in Vancouver, British Columbia, also shared an update, informing fans about the postponed tour dates.

“As of today, HEART’s Royal Flush Tour is postponed due to medical reasons. Fans are encouraged to hold on to their tickets as they will be honored for the rescheduled dates,” the post read.

“More information to be announced in the coming weeks.”

The Royal Flush Tour was set to have tour dates in July across Europe, including Norway, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, and the U.K.

As for the remaining tour dates, which were planned to run through December 15th of this year, starting in Canada and then across the U.S., new dates are still to be determined.

Meanwhile, Wilson’s sister Nancy also took to social media to tell her “beloved Heartmongers and noble Heart fans” about the 2024 postponed tour dates.

She explained, “Happy to let you all know that the HEART tour is still coming your way, but we need to take a temporary pause and postpone the remaining HEART tour dates for now. Rescheduled dates are on the way so stay tuned.

“From the end of the world to your town! See you guys soon. Can’t wait. Love rules.”

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Coping With a Cancer Diagnosis

Ann Wilson isn’t the only notable musician who hasn’t offered all the details into her cancer battle. Health is a deeply personal matter, and it’s up to you, and you alone, to determine who has the right and privilege to know about your diagnosis.

Dealing With Grief After a Cancer Diagnosis

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is never an easy process, but SurvivorNet doctors recommend not blaming yourself for the disease. One helpful suggestion for cancer warriors at the start of their cancer journeys is to learn more about the disease to calm the fear of the unknown.

Additionally, asking your doctor additional questions and even seeking a second opinion can help ease the initial shock and anxiety associated with a new diagnosis.

“I think it’s really important for them to be able to hear it multiple times, take notes,” Dr. Heather Yeo, colorectal surgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine, previously told SurvivorNet.

“I support second opinions. I actually think it’s really important. I mean, if you think about it in life, how do you choose someone to cut your hair? You get an opinion, right? You usually don’t just go in and sit down with the first person you see on the street and say, cut my hair. You ask around,” Dr. Yeo added.

Turning towards family and loved ones is another suggestion SurvivorNet experts recommend for cancer warriors embarking on their cancer journeys.

It’s important for cancer warriors to know they have a strong support group behind them. It helps them alleviate anxiety and depression as cancer treatments become more intense over time.

Sharing a Diagnosis

Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves or close loved ones. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches and everything in between, are valid.

“Patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer sometimes wonder how they are going to handle the diagnosis of the cancer in social situations,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik explains.

Questions like “How much information should they share and with whom should they share the information?” are things Plutchik says patients take into consideration.

Dr. Plutchik adds, “There is no one right way to handle this diagnosis. People should do what feels right to them.”

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A cancer journey can last months to years, which means cancer warriors may be experiencing a lot of uncertainty until they fully understand where their health stands. This uncertainty can influence when a cancer patient is ready to share their diagnosis, Dr. Plutchik further explained.

Dr. Plutchik stresses that those close to a person going through cancer should be respectful of their wishes when it comes to disclosing their diagnosis and seeking support.

Choosing Whether To Work Through Cancer Treatment

Some people can still work and go through cancer treatment, but others may want to take a break from work and focus on getting better. What you can do will depend on your stage of cancer, your treatment, and how you feel. What you shouldn’t have to worry about is getting fired for having cancer.

“We always encourage people to continue to work if they are able to,” says Sarah Stapleton, a clinical social worker at Montefiore Medical Center. “I think it creates a sense of normalcy for patients.” If you’re able to work, you’ll be busy and you won’t be worrying all the time about how your treatment is going, she says.

Some people may need to make adjustments, like being closer to the bathroom, or having a lighter workload. However, there may be times when you realistically won’t be able to work, whether that’s because you have to take time off to go get treatment, or you’re too weak after treatment to come in to the office. In those cases, most people use some of their vacation days or apply for unpaid family medical leave, Stapleton says.

Luckily, if you do find yourself needing to take off work amid a cancer battle, Stapleton says you can’t be fired for having cancer. However, if treatment interferes with your ability to do your job, or come into work at all, you may run into some issues.

Under both federal and state laws, employers are expected to make reasonable accommodations to assist employees with cancer. This many include things like extra paid time-off, shorter work hours during treatment, or offering remote work when possible.

However, employees are not expected to provide accommodations that cause “undue hardships” or “significant difficulty or expense,” according to the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission.

In many cases, people who need to take significant time off from work for cancer treatment (or to care for someone in their family with cancer), are protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

The FMLA allows eligible employees to take up to 12 work weeks of unpaid time off with job protection, meaning you’d have the same job (or a similar job with similar pay) when you return. The FMLA also requires employers to offer the same health insurance coverage during leave.

Depending on where you live in the U.S., state laws might provide even more benefits to people who need to take time off from work for cancer treatment.

“Sometimes patients can work through their treatment for the beginning until their side effects become too overwhelming or other things come up,” Stapleton explains. “And at that point, [patients] generally exhaust all their vacation and sick days and the next option is family medical leave.”

“It depends on the employer on how many months or days you would get. You do not get paid during that time, but it makes sure you have job security.”