Cologne, Mar 31: American pop star Anastacia said on Tuesday she felt blindsided and depressed a year ago when she was diagnosed with breast cancer -- at first more worried about her career than surviving. "I was not prepared for this and more depressed because I was like 'Man, I sort of don't need this right now'," Anastacia, 30, told Reuters at the release of her third album a year after having the breast cancer surgery that saved her life.
"Instead of 'I'm dying' or 'Why me?', I was like: 'This is not fitting in with my itinerary'," she added.
Her 2000 single "I'm Outta Love" was a worldwide hit and launched her career. But her cancer ordeal left her weak at times, hurting her rich voice and memory.
She made an emotional return to the stage in March with a show-stopping performance at the German music industry's Echo awards. She plans to build up to a tour later this year.

Anastacia, who has a huge following in Germany and in many countries outside the United States, said she was overwhelmed by the support from fans and the media, and hopes her bout with cancer will help other young women.
"I feel maybe everything happens for a reason and with what happened last year, going into this year, it just seems the perfect time," she said.
Bureau Report