Robin Gibb, co-founder of the music group the Bee Gees, has died after a long battle with cancer. The 62 year old had been battling advanced colon and liver cancer and was hospitalized several times in the past year as a result.

His death was publicly announced on Gibb's website with a short statement: "The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery. The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time."

Diagnosed in 2011 with liver cancer, Robin Gibb always maintained an optimistic outlook about his diagnosis. In a November 2011 blog, Robin expressed his gratitude to his fans, "I wish to thank my family, friends, fans and the many thousands of people who do not know me but have enjoyed Bee Gees music who have wished me well. I am very touched by your love, kindness and support. This concern from people all over the world has demonstrated the depth of feeling and love that the Bee Gees have achieved over the years. It is humbling and I take your prayers and good wishes for my health very seriously.

I have been very unwell and am now on the road to recovery, and your prayers and wishes are a great tonic to me. I believe because of you I will get well and my deepest love goes out to you all."

Grammy award winning singer Donna Summer has died following a battle with cancer, according to a news report from TMZ.com. Summer apparently died in Florida, though it has not been made public when she passed away or what type of cancer she succumbed to. According to the news report, Summer was private about her illness as she was working on a new album.

Several blogs and news outlets claim the singer died of breast cancer, however, this has not yet been confirmed. Summer was a breast cancer survivor after being diagnosed and treated for the disease several years ago.

A hysterectomy (the surgical removal of the uterus) is often performed to treat gynecologic cancer and many other benign conditions. It is the second most common surgical procedure performed on women in the United States with about 600,000 American women undergoing a hysterectomy each year.

While a hysterectomy can promote a positive outcome for the disease/condition it is performed to treat, it forces many women who have not yet gone through menopause into menopause prematurely. It's called forced or surgical menopause and depending on what type of hysterectomy you have, the effects of it can begin immediately after surgery.

Hormonal changes caused by the absence of the uterus and especially ovaries (if the ovaries are removed during the surgery) can cause a myriad of unpleasant side effects. Most are manageable, but can still be bothersome. Read more about the side effects of having a hysterectomy.

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Adam Yauch, member of the hip-hop group Beastie Boys, has succumbed to his battle with cancer after a three year battle. The 47 year old died Friday from parotid gland cancer, a type of cancer that affects the salivary glands. It is a rare type of cancer and the cause remains unknown.

The band's website posted a tribute to Yauch:

"It is with great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and director Adam "MCA" Yauch, founding member of Beastie Boys and also of the Milarepa Foundation that produced the Tibetan Freedom Concert benefits, and film production and distribution company Oscilloscope Laboratories, passed away in his native New York City this morning after a near-three-year battle with cancer. He was 47 years old." More

Learn more about salivary gland cancer:

• Symptoms of Salivary Gland Cancer?
• What is the Parotid Gland?

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