Kylie's lump 'successfully removed'

Doctors have successfully removed a cancerous lump from Australian pop star Kylie Minogue’s breast, a surgeon announced today.

Dr Jenny Senior said the singer underwent surgery on Friday afternoon at the St Frances Xavier Cabrini Hospital in her home town of Melbourne.

“Kylie has been the perfect patient and has charmed all my staff,” she said. “I just wish I could have met her under happier circumstances.”

Minogue, 36, announced this week she had breast cancer and would undergo surgery.

“Her spirits are high and she’s feeling fine. She has family and friends around her,” Senior told reporters gathered outside the hospital.

“Kylie has asked me to pass on her thanks once again to all who have expressed their love and concern for her. Your support has certainly helped her through a tough time.”

It was not clear if Minogue was still in the hospital and hospital officials declined to answer questions.

Earlier today a cancer charity official said fans of the cancer-stricken singer sent 8,000 Australian dollars (€4,800) to a special fund set up by an Australian charity in its first 24 hours.

The Cancer Council created the Kylie Minogue Breast Cancer Fund after the pop diva announced she had breast cancer and urged fans to help finance research instead of sending her flowers and cards.

Cancer Council helpline director Gillian Batt said an Australian phone line has been set up to take donations, as well as a website.

She said Minogue’s plight has also sparked a rise in calls from women and men seeking more information about cancer.

“One of the most important ways we can help women affected by breast cancer now is through our cancer helpline and we’ve already had many calls from women wanting more information about breast cancer,” she said.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Sky News reported that news teams camped outside the Minogue family home in Melbourne were pelted with eggs in the early hours of Saturday by a gang of masked youths. There were no injuries and police made no arrests.