Patti Scialfa Reveals Cancer Diagnosis in Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Documentary
Patti Scialfa, Bruce Springsteen’s wife, revealed in the new documentary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band that she was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2018, leading her to take a significant step back from touring and live performances.
“It felt so good to be back on stage. Touring has become a challenge for me,” Scialfa shared in the documentary, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday. “This affects my immune system, so I have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go.”
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Scialfa, who married Springsteen in 1991 and has been a member of the E Street Band since 1984, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. According to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, the rare form of cancer “develops in plasma cells in the bone marrow — the soft, spongy tissue at the center of your bones. In healthy bone marrow, normal plasma cells make antibodies to protect your body from infection.”
“Every once in a while, I come to a show or two and I can sing a few songs on stage, and that’s been a treat. That’s the new normal for me right now, and I’m OK with that,” she continued, according to Variety. In 2020, Rolling Stone spoke with Scialfa about what life at home looked like for her during the pandemic. She spoke at length about the music she was creating — and being tasked with cutting Springsteen’s hair — but also shared: “I’m a bit high-risk because of something I have in my health. My children are very cautious.”
The concert residency Springsteen on Broadway was well underway at the time of Scialfa’s diagnosis, having concluded its initial run in December 2018. The Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band documentary captures moments behind the scenes of their ongoing tour, currently scheduled to wrap in July 2025. The film will begin streaming on Hulu and Disney+ on Oct. 25.
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