Patti Scialfa, Bruce Springsteen’s wife and member of the E Street Band, revealed she has been battling cancer for several years.

In the new documentary *

Rock Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band*,

which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on

September 8, Scialfa shared her diagnosis of multiple myeloma in 2018.

“This affects my immune system, so I have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go,”

Scialfa said. Though she occasionally joins her husband on stage, she’s made the decision to step back from touring.

Scialfa also mentioned she wanted to spend more time with her granddaughter,

Lily, born in July 2022, and focus on her solo album.

“I didn’t feel as needed in a way because there were a lot of musicians on stage,” she explained.

Scialfa said working on her record became possible while Bruce was busy in the studio.

“I took that opportunity to do my record.”

Springsteen himself faced health challenges, postponing his 2023 tour dates due to peptic ulcer disease, and again in 2024 for vocal issues.