Singer Taylor Dayne revealed this week that she underwent surgery after being diagnosed with colon cancer this summer.
The 60-year-old, whose hits include “Tell It To My Heart” and “Love Will Lead You Back,” told GMA her cancer was discovered during a routine colonoscopy.
“I didn’t take it in,” she recalled. “All I could do is, 'OK, five months ago, I know there was nothing.’”
Dayne had surgery to remove 10 inches of her colon and was declared cancer-free – but she suffered a post-op infection. “I ended up staying in the hospital for about 15 days, 20 days,” she said.
Being in the hospital brought back memories of her childhood, when she suffered frequent kidney infections. “For me, being back, I felt like I was four years old again back in the hospital, basically locked inside my own body without a voice,” said Dayne. “So, this has challenged me mentally, emotionally. I am now back in a therapy program.”
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in men and the third leading cause of death from cancer in women. An estimated 24,300 Canadians will be diagnosed this year and 9,400 will die as a result.
Dayne said she was speaking out to encourage women to get screened. On Instagram, she wrote: “Let’s continue to bring awareness!”