Aretha Franklin Battling Back After Pancreatic Cancer Surgery

With Reverend Jesse Jackson and other praying friends rallying around her, Aretha Franklin is standing strong to fight one of the most dangerous diseases of all. A week after undergoing major surgery for pancreatic cancer, the popular and perennially peppy singer is reportedly keeping her spirits up by walking the halls of the Detroit hospital.

Aretha Franklin (68), popularly known as the Queen of Soul, has faced challenges before, but none so great as her current battle with advanced pancreatic cancer. Only in the past few days has the nature of Aretha Franklin's illness been disclosed by her relatives.

A month ago, in early November, Aretha Franklin canceled all appearances for the next six months, citing medical reasons, based on advice from her team of physicians. Cancellations included a Detroit Christmas concert.

Since her December 2^nd surgery, fans of Aretha Franklin have gathered for prayer vigils on her behalf in Detroit and elsewhere.

Aretha Franklin, who has won 18 Grammy Awards during her multi-decade music career and sang at the 2009 inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama, was tagged by Rolling Stone Magazine as the Number-One Greatest Singer of All Time. In 1987, the Queen of Soul became the first female member named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Some of the most popular hit singles by Aretha Franklin have included "Chain of Fools," "Freeway of Love," "I Say a Little Prayer," "Respect," "Spanish Harlem," "Think" and "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman."

What is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer, or exocrine cancer, is a malignancy in the pancreas, a gland that participates in digestion. In the United States, approximately 43,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed annually, and nearly 37,000 Americans die from the disease each year. Pancreatic cancer is currently the fourth leading cause of oncological (cancer) deaths in the United States.

Advanced age, obesity and smoking may worsen a pancreatic cancer patient's prognosis.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most incurable cancers of all, although some patients do improve with surgery. Five-year survival rates range from five to 20 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Aretha Franklin joins many celebrities who have had pancreatic cancer.

Many performers, politicians and other popular figures have faced pancreatic cancer. Most recently, actor Patrick Swayze succumbed to the dreaded disease in 2009.

Other celebrities that have battled pancreatic cancer include jazz great Count Basie, comedian Jack Benny, Chicago's Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, actress Joan Crawford, jazzman Dizzy Gillespie, U.S. Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg, ballerina Melissa Hayden, opera singer Marilyn Horne, Apple chairman Steve Jobs, actor Michael Landon, artist Rene Magritte, composer Henry Mancini, anthropologist Margaret Mead, opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, actress Donna Reed, novelist Irving Wallace, and more.