Celine Dion Postpones Performing to Help Husband Heal

Today, Celine Dion‘s website announced that she will be postponing her show at Las Vegas’s Caesar’s Palace and her upcoming Southeast Asian tour:

“Celine Dion has decided to postpone all of her show business activities indefinitely, in order to focus 100% of her attention on her husband Rene, their family, and associated health issues.”

“It’s been a very difficult and stressful time for the couple as they deal with the day-to-day challenges of fighting [Angélil’s] disease while trying to juggle a very active show business schedule, and raise their three young children. Céline and family have requested that their privacy be respected at this time.”

Her husband and business manager, René Angélil, 72, is battling throat cancer. He was originally diagnosed in 1999, and Dion “retired” from singing for two years to be at home with René. In December 2013, it was announced that René’s cancer had returned and that he had undergone successful surgery to treat it.

In June, Angélil stepped down as Celine’s business manager, a position he has held for over 30 years. Although he would still have a say in major business decisions, Celine told reporters in February that she did not “want René to stress out with work-related issues. I want him to focus on getting back to 100 percent.”

Celine has not “100 percent ” herself lately. She had already cancelled her shows at Caesars since July 29 because she “has been receiving treatment for acute inflammation and swelling in the muscles adjacent to her vocal chords.” This is not the first time Celine has been “silenced” due to vocal issues.

The 46 yr-old mother of three (13-year-old René-Charles and 4-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson) told ABC News in a statement:

“I want to devote every ounce of my strength and energy to my husband’s healing, and to do so, it’s important for me to dedicate this time to him and to our children. I also want to apologize to all my fans everywhere, for inconveniencing them, and I thank them so much for their love and support.”

What you should know about throat cancer

1. Throat cancer is a cancer that forms in tissues of the pharynx (the tube inside the neck that starting behind the nose and ending at the top of the windpipe and esophagus). Throat cancer includes cancer of the nose and sinuses, the mouth (including the tongue, lips, salivary glands and palate). Cancer of the larynx (voice box) may also be included as a type of throat cancer.

2. Head and neck cancers account for approximately 3 to 5 percent of all cancers in the United States.

3. These cancers are more common in men and in people over age 55. Men are 4 times more likely than women to develop the disease.

4. People who smoke or otherwise use tobacco (such as smokeless tobacco) are at risk of developing throat cancer.

5. Excessive alcohol use also increases risk. Smoking and drinking alcohol combined lead to an increased risk for throat cancers.

6. Typical symptoms of head and neck cancer include a lump or sore (for example, in the mouth) that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice.

7. Treatment depends on the stage and location of the tumor and may include surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy, or a combination of all of these.

For more information about Throat Cancer, click here to go to the Resounding Health Casebook on the topic.