In memory
Remembering Aretha Franklin and a Rare Pancreatic Cancer
The Queen of Soul died in 2018 of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Here's what that diagnosis means, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Please note: this page is educational only — it is not medical advice, and it does not speculate about anyone’s health beyond reliable public reporting. For questions about your own health, talk with your healthcare team.
On screen
Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, died on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76. Her family and oncologist publicly reported that she died of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, a rarer form of pancreatic cancer. Widely reported accounts note she had lived with the diagnosis for several years while largely keeping it private. She is remembered for a voice that shaped American music — from "Respect" to "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" — and for a legacy that endures across generations.
The reality
According to the National Cancer Institute, pancreatic cancer can develop from two kinds of cells in the pancreas: exocrine cells and neuroendocrine cells, such as islet cells. NCI explains that the exocrine type is more common and is usually found at an advanced stage, while pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (islet cell tumors) are less common but have a better prognosis.
The neuroendocrine type that Aretha Franklin was reported to have is therefore a distinct category from the more common form of pancreatic cancer. The pancreas is an organ deep in the abdomen that helps the body digest food and regulate blood sugar.
What the story gets right — and what to remember
Franklin's story highlights something important that NCI's own descriptions reinforce: "pancreatic cancer" is not a single disease. The neuroendocrine form differs from the more common exocrine form in how it behaves and how it is treated.
Every person's situation is different, and the details of any individual's care are personal. A public figure's experience can help raise awareness, but it is not a diagnosis, a prediction, or medical advice.
Awareness, screening & prevention
The National Cancer Institute states plainly that it does not have PDQ evidence-based information about screening for pancreatic cancer, and likewise does not have PDQ evidence-based prevention information specific to this cancer. Rather than filling that gap with guesswork, NCI points readers toward its general Cancer Prevention Overview and Cancer Screening Overview. The honest takeaway is that there is no standard screening test for the general public for pancreatic cancer, which is one reason awareness of the disease matters.
Turning a story into something useful
Honoring an artist like Aretha Franklin can be a reason to learn. Reading accurate facts from the National Cancer Institute, understanding that pancreatic cancer comes in different forms, and sharing that knowledge with others are simple, worthwhile acts. Free cancer education helps that understanding reach more people.
Questions to ask a healthcare team
- What is the difference between exocrine and neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors?
- What symptoms are worth bringing to a doctor's attention?
- Do I have any risk factors I should discuss?
- Where can I find reliable information about pancreatic cancer?