LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Soul legend Aretha Franklin has cancer and underwent surgery last week, media reported on Wednesday, after she cancelled engagements for the near future.

Fox 2 News in Detroit cited a relative as saying the 68-year-old “Queen of Soul” is doing “OK,” but that the family is very concerned, and is asking for supporters to send their thoughts and prayers.

Fox 2 News quoted Franklin herself as saying she had “highly successful” surgery last week. “God is still in control. I had superb doctors and nurses whom were blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country,” she said.

The Detroit News meanwhile reported the singer had pancreatic cancer, which has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers, killing around 95 per cent of patients within five years of diagnosis.

Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze died from the same form of cancer in September last year.

Franklin cancelled a number of concerts in October citing “health reasons,” while in early November, doctors ordered her to cancel all engagements for the next six months, according to the Detroit News.