Aretha 'doing better' amid reports of cancer

The Queen of Soul is faring well after her recent surgery and could be released from hospital shortly, a relative told press, amid reports that Aretha Franklin is suffering from pancreatic cancer.

The acclaimed singer is "doing better than doctors expected" and "has a long life in front of her," Franklin's cousin, Brenda Corbett, told the Detroit Free Press in a story published Thursday.

She added that Franklin expects to be released from the hospital this weekend.

On Wednesday afternoon, some U.S. media outlets reported that the singer was suffering from pancreatic cancer, citing an unnamed relative of the singer.

Last week, the 68-year-old Franklin released a statement saying she had emerged from a "highly successful" surgical procedure further details of which she never released. Fans gathered downtown the night prior to hold a prayer vigil for the singer, who had announced in November she was cancelling all her concerts and personal appeances through May on the orders of her doctors.

The award-winning soul icon had already faced several setbacks this year. In August, she suffered a fall at home and broke several ribs. She was also admitted to a Detroit hospital in October for undisclosed reasons.

Franklin's longtime friend Rev. Jesse Jackson said Wednesday that he has visited her four or five times recently and that she is "recovering very well" from what he described as "serious surgery."

Jackson would not comment on the singer's ailment, but revealed that Franklin has been out of bed and walking around the hospital hallways.

Her spirits "are high and her faith is strong," he added.