AceShowbiz - Barry Manilow has opened up about his recent lung cancer diagnosis and the difficult recovery that followed, revealing how the experience profoundly changed his outlook on life.

The 82-year-old singer, who recently announced his first studio album of mostly new material in nearly 15 years titled What a Time, spoke candidly with People magazine about the “nightmare” of facing stage one lung cancer and undergoing surgery.

Barry Manilow explained that his diagnosis came after an unexpected discovery during a medical visit for unrelated hip pain. Initially, the doctor ordered a pelvic MRI, but after learning about Manilow’s recent bouts with bronchitis, the scan was expanded to include his lungs.

“If he hadn’t done that, man… He saved my life, because there’s no symptoms for what I had. I could go on, nothing hurt – but they found the dot in my lung,” Manilow shared. The word “cancer” was a shock to him, and at first, he could not accept the possibility. “That’s a bad word. ‘Not me. F-k you. I can’t have cancer,’” he recalled thinking.

Tests later confirmed that Manilow had stage one lung cancer. The singer said it was unclear how long the cancer had been developing, noting, “It could have been years.” He acknowledged how fortunate he was that it had not spread, adding, “If it had gone any further, then I would be up s-t’s creek. It just so happened that it hadn’t spread, and boy oh boy, I thought I might be dying.”

Four weeks after the diagnosis, Manilow underwent a lobectomy, a surgical procedure to remove one of the two lobes of his left lung. Following the surgery, he spent seven days in the intensive care unit. He described his hospital stay as a “nightmare” and admitted that he does not recall much of that period.

Despite the severity of the situation, Manilow expressed gratitude that he did not require additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, which can often be more invasive and challenging.

On December 22, Manilow publicly shared news of his early-stage lung cancer diagnosis and surgery. Then, on March 3, he posted an optimistic video update, stating, “I am getting stronger and I have great doctors and wonderful friends and family, but I am so looking forward to getting back on stage.”

What a Time, produced primarily by Manilow and his longtime collaborator Michael Lloyd, is the singer’s 33rd studio album. It features mostly original songs, marking his first collection of new material since 2011’s 15 Minutes, which was his 15th top 10 album on the Billboard 200. Manilow wrote or co-wrote 11 of the 13 tracks, and he and Lloyd co-produced all of them.

Reflecting on how the cancer diagnosis affected him personally, Manilow told People, “It has really, really made me take stock of my life. This made me stop and think about: Have I done what I wanted to do, and have I made people happy? Have I been a good friend?” He admitted that the experience made him revisit familiar life questions, often dismissed before, and concluded that the answers were overwhelmingly positive. “All of those cornball things that I’ve read for all of my life, I started to think about that, too. It really did stop me in my tracks. And the answers are yes. And as a matter of fact, there are more yeses than I ever thought.”

The cancer scare has also impacted Manilow’s touring schedule. His ongoing farewell arena tour was postponed but is set to resume on April 13 at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York. The tour is currently scheduled through January 21, 2027, with a final stop at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.

Barry Manilow’s openness about his health challenges sheds light on the importance of early detection and the emotional toll such diagnoses can take, even on individuals who seem larger than life. His determination to recover and return to performing is a testament to his resilience and passion for music.

As fans anticipate his upcoming album and tour return, Manilow’s story serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly life can change and the value of appreciating every moment.