In a new documentary, Patti Scialfa, Bruce Springsteen’s wife and E Street Band member, reveals that she was diagnosed with blood cancer multiple myeloma in 2018. The documentary, titled “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band,” premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, where Scialfa shared that the cancer affects her immune system and requires her to be cautious about what she does and where she goes. Despite her diagnosis, Scialfa has made occasional appearances at shows to sing a few songs on stage, embracing this “new normal” in her life.
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that produces cancerous plasma cells in the bone marrow, leading to a reduction in the body’s ability to produce antibodies and fight off infections. The exact cause of this cancer is unknown, and currently, there is no cure. Some individuals with multiple myeloma may not require treatment if the cancer is not progressing or causing symptoms. It is unclear if Scialfa underwent treatment for her myeloma, and her current health status remains undisclosed.
Symptoms of multiple myeloma include bone pain, digestive issues, mental fatigue, infections, weight loss, weakness, increased thirst, and frequent urination. This cancer is more common in individuals in their late 60s, men, Black individuals, and those with a family history of multiple myeloma. Treatment options for multiple myeloma include immunotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, radiation therapy, and more. Survival rates for those diagnosed with multiple myeloma vary, with some individuals surviving four years or more after diagnosis.
Bruce Springsteen, the iconic musician and band leader of E Street Band, has also faced his own health struggles. In 2023, Springsteen announced that he would be postponing shows due to a peptic ulcer. The following year, he postponed additional concert dates due to vocal issues. Springsteen later revealed that the stomach problem affected his ability to sing, as the pain in his diaphragm made it difficult to perform. Springsteen has also been open about his mental health, acknowledging periods of depression and sharing that therapy has been beneficial for him.
E Street Band was founded in 1972, nearly two decades before Springsteen and Scialfa tied the knot in 1991. Scialfa, along with the rest of E Street Band, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. Despite Scialfa’s health battle with multiple myeloma, she has made appearances at shows to sing with the band, adapting to her “new normal” in the midst of her diagnosis. While details about her treatment and current health status are undisclosed, Scialfa continues to be a part of the music scene, sharing her journey with fans through the documentary and raising awareness about multiple myeloma.
