Dolly Parton Denies Rumors of Stomach Cancer, Explains Recent Health Issues

Dolly Parton has issued a statement reassuring fans that rumors of her being diagnosed with stomach cancer are "absolutely" untrue -- but she has battled another health issue recently.

"It is true that I had kidney stones. I had them removed three weeks ago, and I am doing just fine!" Parton says in a statement. "... There is absolutely no truth at all that I have stomach cancer."

On Wednesday (Oct. 14), the National Enquirer published a story revealing that Parton "was rushed to the hospital with kidney stones — but close friends fear she could be hiding an even more devastating secret: stomach cancer!" The country legend's statement appears to be in response to that untrue report.

"I am back to work, and last week, I was at Dollywood, filming parts for my new movie, Coat of Many Colors, which premieres Dec. 10 on NBC," Parton continues in her statement. "With the 30th anniversary of Dollywood, I did a full week of activities promoting my new DreamMore Resort's opening.

"... I love and appreciate everyone's concern," she concludes.

A quote from Don Henley, with whom Parton recently collaborated, sparked concern about Parton's health in mid-September as well. Henley said in an interview that Parton "got out of the hospital bed" to film their music video and recounted how she called him to tell him that she was having a "medical issue" but was determined to make it to Los Angeles to film the clip.

At that time, Parton's publicist told Nashville's WKRN-TV, "Dolly is on her tour bus, travelling between LA, Nashville and New York, doing press for the Coat of Many Colors movie, and is not in the hospital."

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