Kylie Minogue has revealed that she quietly battled breast cancer for a second time in 2021, more than 15 years after first being diagnosed with the disease in 2005.
The pop icon opened up about the deeply personal chapter in her new self-titled Netflix documentary, released this week, sharing how she chose to keep the diagnosis private while undergoing treatment.
Speaking in the documentary, the 57-year-old singer said the second diagnosis came in early 2021 following a routine medical check-up.
“My second cancer diagnosis was in early 2021. I was able to keep that to myself… not like the first time,” Minogue said.
She added that early detection played a crucial role in her recovery and encouraged people to prioritise regular health screenings.
“There will be someone out there who will benefit from a gentle reminder to do their check-ups. Early detection was very helpful and I am so grateful to be able to say that I am well today,” she shared in promotional material for the documentary.
Minogue explained that she was emotionally unprepared to speak publicly about the diagnosis at the time, even as her career was experiencing another major high following the success of her 2023 hit Padam Padam.
“I don’t feel obliged to tell the world, and actually, I just couldn’t at the time because I was just a shell of a person,” she said.
The singer revealed that while the global success of “Padam Padam” brought fresh energy to her career, privately she was still struggling to process the emotional impact of cancer returning.
“‘Padam Padam’ opened so many doors for me but on the inside I knew that cancer wasn’t just a blip in my life,” she said. “I really just wanted to say what happened so I can let go of it.”
Minogue also disclosed that she subtly referenced the experience in her 2023 song Story from the album Tension.
“I had a secret that I kept to myself … Turn another page, baby take the stage,” the lyrics read.
Minogue was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 at the age of 36. At the time, she cancelled the remaining dates of her Showgirl tour and withdrew from her planned performance at Glastonbury Festival to begin treatment in Melbourne. She was declared cancer-free in 2006.
Now, nearly two decades after her first diagnosis, Minogue says she is healthy again and more connected to music than ever.
“Thankfully, I got through it. Again. And all is well. Who knows what’s around the corner, but my passion for music is greater than ever,” she said.
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