Bruce Springsteen's wife Patti Scialfa, 71, reveals she's secretly battling blood cancer as she speaks about diagnosis for the first time

Bruce Springsteen's wife Patti Scialfa has revealed she has been battling cancer in secret.

The guitarist, 71, who plays in her husband E Street Band, was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer called multiple myeloma back in 2018 and stepped back from touring as she faced the health crisis in private.

And now the songwriter has revealed her cancer battle in new documentary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in Canada on Sunday night.

Speaking about her decision to scale back her stage commitments, Patti explained: 'I've been performing with this band for 40 years. With those first performances, it felt so good to be back onstage.

'Touring has become a challenge for me. In 2018, well, Bruce and I were doing a play on Broadway. I was diagnosed with early stage multiple myeloma.'

She went on to reveal she tries to come to a show every so often but she's no longer a regular on stage.

Patti added: 'This affects my immune system so I just have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go. 

'Every once in a while, I come to a show or two and I can sing a few songs onstage, and that's been a treat. That's the new normal for me right now, and I'm OK with that.'

The documentary marks the first time Patti has spoken publicly about her cancer diagnosis.

Her and Bruce have been married since 1991. They share three children together: Evan, 34, Jessica, 32, and Samuel, 30. 

Last October Bruce inducted his wife into the New Jersey Hall Of Fame at the 15th annual induction ceremony.

Bruce was all smiles as he proudly stood at the podium to share some kind words about his wife and why she is so deserving of the honour.

After presenting his wife and bandmate with her hall of fame award the longtime couple shared a kiss at the podium.

Patti hails from Deal, New. Jersey, which is situated along the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County.

The singer-songwriter and guitarist graduated from Asbury Park High School, the same city Springsteen honed his musical chops in before striking the big time in the 1970 and 80s.

She joined the E Street Band in 1984, just days before the opening show of the Born In The U.S.A. Tour.

The musician has also recorded three solo studio albums during her prestigious career: Rumble Doll (1993), 23rd Street Lullaby (2004), and Play It As It Lays (2007).

Her first two albums received four-star reviews from Rolling Stone, while the third received three and a half stars. Springsteen and fellow E Street bandmates, like Nils Lofgren and Roy Bittan, have contributed to her records.

Meanwhile her husband Bruce has also faced a series of health crisis during the last few years of touring. 

He was struck down with peptic ulcer disease which forced him to take a six-month break from work because it affected his singing.

Speaking earlier this year on Sirius XM's E Street Radio, he explained, 'You sing with your diaphragm. You know, my diaphragm was hurting so badly that when I went to make the effort to sing, it was killing me, so I literally couldn't sing at all, you know?

'And that lasted for two, three months, along with just a myriad of other painful problems.'

An insider told Dailymail.com: 'Bruce has had a rough couple of years. He's had COVID several times and even had to pull the plug on shows in August due to getting the latest strain. 

'This was just a couple of weeks ago and it really takes a toll on someone of his age.'

The source added that the Boss 'hasn't been the same' since undergoing throat surgery in 2013, which saw doctors cut open his vocal chords to repair damaged discs in his neck.

'It has really had an impact on his overall well-being,' the source continued. 'Everyone wants him to just focus on his health and not push himself.'

According to the insider, Springsteen was heartbroken at having to postpone his shows - however his camp felt it was the best decision to help him avoid having to undergo more serious treatment in the future.

'Bruce hates not being able to do what he loves,' they continued. 'Although an ulcer doesn't sound serious, it can be and can require surgery.'