Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Carly Simon, 83, is living with Parkinson's disease and has been treated for skin cancer, she announced this week.
Simon made the health revelation in a statement to USA TODAY Monday, July 27. People magazine was the first to report the news. The pop icon, known for 1970s hits like "You're So Vain," received the Parkinson's diagnosis after mobility challenges and three joint replacement surgeries. Simon also underwent surgery for basal cell carcinoma, a common skin cancer.
"So many people have written to me, kindly wondering about my relative silence, asking how I am and what I have been doing. The truth is, I've been learning how to live with Parkinson's disease," Simon, 83, said. "It has taken me some time to understand
the diagnosis, to adjust to it and to decide how much I wanted to say about it publicly."
The neurodegenerative disorder affects 10 million people globally, causing physical mobility decline and can impact mental health, according to the Parkinson's Foundation. Treatment options include therapy, medicine and surgery. In metro Detroit, the free Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson's Wellness also offers treatment options.
Gibson, a former Michigan State University and Detroit Tigers star, was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2015 after suffering various symptoms.
Michael J. Fox, star of the "Back to the Future" movies, the TV series "Family Ties" and others also has suffered from Parkinson's for many years and has advocated for research.
Here's what to know about Parkinson's disease.
Does Carly Simon have Parkinson's disease?
Yes, singer-songwriter Carly Simon has Parkinson's disease, according to a statement to USA TODAY. The news was first reported by People.
"Parkinson's is different for everyone, and it can be unpredictable," said Simon, whose battle with the disease began with arthritis in the knees and one of her hips. "Some days I'm so tired I can't get the day moving at all. On others, it gives me a little more room to move, think, work and feel like myself."
Simon also had surgery for basal cell carcinoma amid her Parkinson's diagnosis and treatment. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
"During this same period, I was also treated for basal cell carcinoma on my face," she said. "The cancer was removed, but the surgery affected my appearance and made me more self-conscious about being seen in public. I have always been more critical of my appearance than anyone else could possibly imagine."
Who is Carly Simon?
Born in New York City, Carly Simon is an award-winning singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the 1970s with hits like "You're So Vain," "Nobody Does It Better," "Anticipation" and "Mockingbird." Her career has featured 28 original albums, award-winning film scores, a family opera and two memoirs, according to IMDb. Her new album, "Comes in Waves," will be released Aug. 14.
She is the daughter of Richard L. Simon, co-founder of publishing company Simon & Schuster, IMDb noted.
What is Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder disrupting the nervous system's functions and characterized by tremor, stiffness, slowness of movement, loss of balance, according to the Mayo Clinic and Parkinson's Foundation. The disease can also cause sleep disruptions, anxiety and depression.
In Parkinson's disease,nerve cells in the brainbreak down or die. Many Parkinson's disease symptoms are caused by a loss of neurons that produce a chemical messenger in the brain called dopamine.
Decreased dopamine leads to irregular brain activity. This causes movement problems and other symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
The root cause of the disease is not known.
How is Parkinson's disease treated?
While Parkinson's disease is not curable, treatment options are available, including medicine, surgery and lifestyle changes, according to the Parkinson's Foundation.
Treatment and therapy can be accessed through your medical provider and at dedicated Parkinson's centers in Michigan, such as the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson's Wellness in metro Detroit's Farmington Hills.
Detroit Free Press and USA TODAY contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Carly Simon reveals Parkinson's diagnosis. What is disease?
