Kylie Minogue yesterday vowed to her fans she would "be back with you all again soon" after revealing she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The 36-year-old is to have immediate treatment for the cancer, which is in its early stages.

Kylie postponed the Australian leg of her tour, which was scheduled to start tomorrow, and pulled out of her headline appearance at Glastonbury.

The former Neighbours actress thanked wellwishers for their messages of support and was said to be in strong spirits despite receiving the diagnosis yesterday morning.

The Australian soap star-turned-singer has been in Australia enjoying a break with her boyfriend of two years, French actor Olivier Martinez, 39.

The diminutive pop princess was set to fly to Sydney today to begin rehearsals for the Australian Showgirl tour. But she remained in Melbourne with her family and Martinez after receiving the news.

The couple have been spending time together since Kylie completed her multi-million pound three-month UK tour with a huge concert in London.

Kylie apologised for disappointing fans who were gearing up for the Australian tour of five cities, and for Glastonbury, the climax of her world tour. She told them: "I was so looking forward to bringing the Showgirl tour to Australia and to Glastonbury, and am sorry to have to disappoint my fans.

"Nevertheless, hopefully all will work out fine and I'll be back with you all again soon."

A statement from Kylie's management said: "Whilst at home in Melbourne with her family this week prior to her Australian Showgirl tour, Kylie was diagnosed with early breast cancer. She will undergo immediate treatment and consequently her Australian tour will not be able to proceed as planned."

Experts say breast cancer is rare in someone of Kylie's age - about 2,000 women in their 20s and 30s are diagnosed in the UK every year.

There is not thought to be a history of breast cancer in Kylie's family.

Her father has had treatment for prostate cancer, but research on the link between breast and prostrate cancer has been inconclusive.

Kylie has worked to raise money for breast cancer over recent years and has regularly helped to publicise Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

An operation to remove the tumour would be the most likely starting point for the star, in what could be months of treatment.

Dannii Minogue, 33, a pop star like her older sister, said the Minogue family were optimistic Kylie would make a return to full health.

"The news is very upsetting, although as the cancer has been diagnosed at such an early stage we are all very optimistic that everything will be okay," she said.

"We're all very thankful for the endless messages of love and support Kylie has been receiving."

Kylie's great uncle Ronald Riddiford, 73, from Maesteg, South Wales, said: "I am shocked, the whole family has been shocked to hear the news. You have just got to hope for the best.

Ex-Neighbours co-star Jason Donovan said Kylie would fight the disease, adding she is "a strong woman who will fight this battle on every front".

Kylie's tour promoter, Michael Gudinski, said: "The one thing I know about Kylie is that she's a fighter, and we're all thinking very, very positively and can't wait for the day she is smiling and back in action.

Celebrities get breast cancer too - Page 12