Bruce Springsteen Gives Update on Wife’s Cancer Diagnosis

Lauren Novak October 16, 12:14 pm

Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen perform on stage at The New York Comedy Festival and The Bob Woodruff Foundation present the 12th Annual Stand Up For Heroes event at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 5, 2018 in New York City — Brian Ach/Getty Images for Bob Woodruff Foundation

Last month, singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen revealed that his wife Patti Scialfa had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, in 2018. Springsteen and Scialfa decided to finally share the news with fans after she hadn’t been seen playing with the band in a while. Scialfa joined Springsteen’s E Street Band in 1984, and the pair tied the knot in 1991.

Scialfa opened up about her cancer battle during the Toronto Film Festival premiere of Springsteen’s documentary, Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. She shared, “I’ve been performing with this band for 40 years. With those first performances, it felt so good to be back onstage. Touring has become a challenge for me. In 2018, well, Bruce and I were doing a play on Broadway. I was diagnosed with early stage multiple myeloma. Every once in a while, I come to a show or two, and I can sing a few songs onstage, and that’s been a treat. That’s the new normal for me right now, and I’m OK with that.”

Bruce Springsteen and his wife Patti Scialfa attend the 72nd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 10, 2018 in New York City

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

While she is doing well and is grateful that they caught it early, she added that it affects her immune system so she often prefers to stay safe while Springsteen is touring. While Springsteen has been taking care of his wife, he has been dealing with some health issues of his own, which forced him to cancel several shows last summer.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: Bruce Springsteen performs onstage during the 17th Annual Stand Up For Heroes Benefit presented by Bob Woodruff Foundation and NY Comedy Festival at David Geffen Hall on November 06, 2023 in New York City

Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Bob Woodruff Foundation

Springsteen admitted that he had a peptic ulcer that made singing painful and caused uncomfortable symptoms. He also suffered some vocal issues, which caused him to cancel several shows. However, it seems he is doing well and continues to tour. Springsteen will open up more about health, touring and music in a new ABC News special called Bruce Springsteen: Backstage and Backstreets, airing on October 20, 2024, at 10pm ET. It will be on ABC and Hulu.