Marianne Faithfull has breast cancer
The singer is forced to cancel world tour

Marianne Faithfull has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The singer has postponed her world tour which was due to kick off next month, until 2007, following her diagnosis.

"I have absolute faith and confidence in my fantastic medical team and of course I will be well again, if not better than ever," the 59-year-old said in a statement. "Next year's tour, I want to assure fans, will be one big celebration."

Doctors in France diagnosed the disease which was found to be in its earliest stages, Reuters reports.

Her spokesman added: "The disease has been quickly discovered by doctors in France - where Marianne stays when not at home in Ireland - and the prognosis for a return to full health is excellent.

"Indeed, Marianne Faithfull is looking forward to playing the re-scheduled tour in 2007."

The one-time girlfriend of Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger became a big star in her own right in the 1960s.

In the past she has battled a heroin addiction which forced her to have a nervous breakdown.

That sucks, but it sounds like an early intervention which bodes well.

She's paid the price for recording with shorn Metallica*.

The press will still say "one-time girlfriend of" no matter how many records she does, or how many years go by, even if she's still putting out great stuff into her 90's.

Oh, well, nature of the media beast, I guess.

In the past she has battled a heroin addiction which forced her to have a nervous breakdown.

Yet, somehow, Binaca continues to walk the Earth completely halitosis-free.