Sunday, September 17, 2006

Marianne Faithfull diagnosed with breast cancer

British singer and actress Marianne Faithfull has been diagnosed with breast cancer, her publicist announced today.Faithfull, made famous in the 1960s by both her music career and her much-publicised relationship with Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, is expected to make a full recovery.Her publicist said in a statement: "The disease has been quickly discovered by doctors in France and the prognosis for a return to full health is excellent."The 59-year-old has been forced to postpone a world tour that was due to begin next month.However Faithfull has expressed her determination to be back to full health for next year's tour.She said: "Next year's tour, I want to assure fans, will be one big celebration."I have absolute faith and confidence in my fantastic medical team and of course I will be well again, if not better than ever."After being discovered at a Rolling Stones launch party, her first song As Tears Go By was written by Jagger and Keith Richards. As well as a successful music career spanning four decades, Faithfull has also forged herself a modestly successful acting career. Most recently, she starred in Sophia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette alongside Kirsten Dunst, which is due on UK cinema screens later this year.