Sheryl Crow begins radiation therapy today at Nashville hospital

Sheryl Crow, left, and her mom, Bernice Crow, at the grand opening of the Sheryl Crow Aquatic Center at Kennett on May 28, 2005. [Click to enlarge]

A mammagram, early detection and an agressive physician probably serves to minimize Sheryl Crow's bout with breast cancer, the musician's mother, Bernice Crow, told The Daily Dunklin Democrat Wednesday.

Still, the Grammy Award-winning pop star who calls Kennett her hometown begins a round of radiation therapy today at a Nashville hospital, Bernice Crow said.

"She's been diagnosed with what doctors call a minimally-invasive cancer," Crow explained. "It's just been caught in the very earliest stage.

"Under the circumstances, everything came back good," Bernice Crow continued. "But she's going to go through with seven weeks of radiation."

Sheryl Crow underwent surgery to remove the cancer at a Los Angeles hospital, her mother said. Bernice and other family members traveled to the West Coast to be by her daughter's side during the surgery, and will travel to Nashville for the radiation therapy, she said.

"At this point they consider her cancer free," Bernice said. "I don't know whether the radition is precautionary, treatment, or both.

"She found out about it a week ago this past Monday," Bernice added. "We went out there on Tuesday and she had the surgery on the following Wednesday.

"She was really fortunate because she had a doctor who was so agressive with it and wasn't willing to wait and see how things progressed," Bernice continued. "Everyone, I mean everybody we've heard from, has been touched by cancer. There is a history of cancer in our family. There's not been any breast cancers. But others, yes. We don't know anybody who hasn't somehow been touched by breast cancer."

Despite her health-related challenge, and the fact that Crow has postponed her national tour in support of her latest recording, "Wildflower," her mother said Sheryl is in great spirits, and will use the down time to reflect and write more music.

"She had absolutely no symptoms at all," Bernice said. "She went in for a mammagram and the doctors caught the cancer at its earliest stage.

"It surely hasn't slowed her down any," Bernice continued. "As soon as she completes her radiation, she intends to get right back out there. Radiation is not as damaging as it used to be. She'll find something constuctive to do with her time. She's made that way."

A message from Sheryl to her thousands of fans was posted on her Internet web site, www.sherylcrow.com.

"Approximately 1 in 7 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime," she wrote. "More than 2 million American are living with breast cancer today.

"I am joining the more than 200,000 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year," the musician continued. "We are a testament to the importance of early detection and new treatments. I encourage all women everywhere to advocate for themselves and for their future -- see your doctor and be proactive about your health. More than 10 million Americans are living with cancer, and they demonstrate the ever-increasing possibility of living beyond cancer. I am inspired by the brave women who have faced this battle before me and grateful for the support of family and friends."