Melissa Etheridge has BC

LOS ANGELES - Singer Melissa Etheridge (news) has been diagnosed with breast
cancer and has canceled upcoming tour dates to undergo treatment, according
to her publicist.

Etheridge, 43, will undergo surgery and her doctor expects a "speedy and
complete recovery," publicist Marcel Pariseau said in a statement.


The cancer was detected early and Etheridge has been receiving treatment,
Pariseau said Thursday.


"I am fortunate to be under a wonderful doctor's care and thankful that this
was caught early," Etheridge said in the statement. "I am looking forward to
a quick and full recovery."


Etheridge and actress Tammy Lynn Michaels held a commitment ceremony in
September 2003. The musician, who lives in Los Angeles, shares custody of a
daughter and son with former partner Julie Cypher, who had the children
through artificial insemination using a sperm donation from rocker David
Crosby (news).


Etheridge's latest album, "Lucky," was released in February. Refunds for
tickets to her upcoming shows will be available where they were bought; the
entertainer's Web site says she had been scheduled to play 11 dates in seven
cities this month.