Taylor Swift says her mother is battling cancer

Pop star Taylor Swift said yesterday that her mother, with whom she is close, has been diagnosed with cancer.

"For Christmas this year, I asked my mom that one of her gifts to me be her going to the doctor to get screened for any health issues, just to ease some worries of mine," Swift, 25 wrote on her Tumblr page. "She agreed, and went in to get checked. There were no red flags and she felt perfectly fine, but she did it just to get me and my brother off her case about it. The results came in, and I'm saddened to tell you that my mom has been diagnosed with cancer. I'd like to keep the details of her condition and treatment plans private, but she wanted you to know."

Andrea Finlay Swift, 57, who lives with the singer's father, Scott Kingsley Swift, in Nashville, often accompanies her daughter on concert tours. She appears in the music videos for "I'm Only Me When I'm With You" and "Beautiful Eyes," and the singer wrote "The Best Day" for her mother, to whom the song is dedicated.

Taylor Swift, who frequently shares with fans details of her life, added that her mother agreed to reveal the cancer, writing, "She wanted you to know because your parents may be too busy juggling everything they've got going on to go to the doctor, and maybe you reminding them to go get checked for cancer could possibly lead to an early diagnosis and an easier battle. . . . Or peace of mind in knowing that they're healthy and there's nothing to worry about. She wanted you to know why she may not be at as many shows this tour. She's got an important battle to fight."