Musician Patti Scialfa , Bruce Springsteen’ s wife and E Street bandmate, has revealed that she was diagnosed in 2018 with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. The singer-songwriter addresses her diagnosis in the new documentary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, which premiered on Sunday night (8 September) at the Toronto Film Festival. US media reports that the film, which follows the “Born in the USA” star and his group of longtime collaborators, Scialfa disclosed that her illness has made it difficult to perform, leading to her decision to take a step back from touring.
“This affects my immune system, so I have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go,” she said in the film, Variety reports. “Every once in a while, I come to a show or two and I can sing a few songs on stage, and that’s been a treat. That’s the new normal for me right now, and I’m OK with that.
” Scialfa explained that she received her diagnosis while she and Springsteen were on the rock singer’s Broadway run in 2018. The NHS says that multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, is a form of bone marrow cancer, and can affect several areas of the body including the spine, skull, pelvis and ribs. Over time, it can cause issues including persistent bone pain, fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath, and blurred vision, headaches or dizziness.
Scialfa, 71, has been a member of the E Street Band since 1984; she was inducted with the rest of the band .