Heart singer Ann Wilson, 74, reveals she is battling cancer - as band are forced to cancel huge upcoming tour: 'This is merely a pause'

Heart singer Ann Wilson has revealed she has cancer.

The What About Love musician, 74, announced her health battle in an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday - detailing how she will undergo chemotherapy after having surgery.

The post read: 'Dear friends, I recently underwent an operation to remove something that, as it turns out, was cancerous. 

'The operation was successful & I'm feeling great but my doctors are now advising me to undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy & I've decided to do it.'

Wilson said doctors had advised her to 'take the rest of the year away from the stage in order to fully recover' - canceling Heart's planned Royal Flush Tour alongside Cheap Trick, which was slated to begin on July 30 in Cleveland and run until December.

'To the ticket buyers, I really do wish we could do these gigs. Please know that I absolutely plan to be back on stage in 2025. My team is getting those details sorted & we'll let you know the plan as soon as we can.

'Please know that I absolutely plan to be back on stage in 2025.

'This is merely a pause. I’ve much more to sing, Love, Ann Wilson. Respectfully, this is the last public statement I’d like to make on the matter.'

Wilson did not reveal what type of cancer she is battling. 

Ann and sister Nancy Wilson, 70, previously cancelled a series of concerts in June and July in Europe due to medical concerns.

They said Ann 'had to undergo a time-sensitive but routine medical procedure'  that required at least six weeks of recovery.

Ann wrote on Instagram at the time:  'I’m okay! Please don’t worry. I do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. It’s certainly an inconvenience for me. Love & respect always, Ann.'

Wilson and Nancy were the two main singers in Heart, a rock band formed in the 1970s, and have sold 35million records worldwide. 

Heart's US Top 40 singles include Magic Man, Crazy on You, Barracuda, What About Love and no. 1 hits These Dreams and Alone.

They have been nominated  for four Grammy Awards and sold over 50 million records worldwide, including  22.5 million albums in the United States.

Heart was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.

They reunited in 2019 after a three-year hiatus.