Singer Nivea Hamilton has revealed she was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia earlier this year, saying she is undergoing treatment and has gained a new perspective on life since learning she has cancer.
The Grammy-nominated singer, 44, first disclosed her leukemia diagnosis during a July 21 episode of Cadillac Chronicles, where she said her treatment was going well and that she remained optimistic about her future.
"Well, first of all, I was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year, and I'm so grateful to God. I've been going through treatment, and everything is going great so far. And I expect it to continue. Amen, amen, amen," she said.
Two days later, Nivea identified the disease as chronic myeloid leukemia, or CML, in a statement to People. She said her diagnosis was confirmed after two bone marrow biopsy procedures, noting that the first procedure was unsuccessful.
The singer said she was relieved to learn she did not have a more aggressive form of cancer that would have required chemotherapy, although she acknowledged that her diagnosis has changed her life.
Treatment Is Working as She Focuses on Gratitude
Hamilton said she has been undergoing treatment and expects it to continue to work, while continuing to pursue music, motherhood and her education.
The singer, known for songs including "Laundromat" and "Don't Mess With My Man," said the experience has prompted her to reconsider what matters most.
"It just helped me put a lot of things in perspective," she said during the interview, adding that she now lives with gratitude.
Hamilton is also studying audio engineering, a skill she said she has long wanted to learn. She continues to spend time with her children and remains active in her music career.
Her comments offer a glimpse into how a cancer diagnosis can reshape a person's priorities even when treatment is progressing well.
CML Is a Blood Cancer That Can Develop Quietly
Chronic myeloid leukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. It is generally a slow-growing form of leukemia in its chronic phase and is often associated with an acquired genetic change known as the Philadelphia chromosome, which leads to the production of an abnormal protein that drives the uncontrolled growth of certain white blood cells.
Unlike some cancers that are strongly associated with inherited mutations or lifestyle factors, CML is generally not considered hereditary. It is also not believed to be caused by something a person did or failed to do.
The disease can be difficult to recognize because some people have few or no symptoms at first detection.
Hamilton said learning that CML was not hereditary or something she had done to cause the disease was a relief, although she described the diagnosis as puzzling.
Leukemia itself is not a single disease but a group of cancers affecting blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow. Different types can behave very differently and require different treatments.
Hamilton also clarified that she was relieved she did not have a more aggressive cancer requiring chemotherapy. However, treatment decisions for CML depend on the individual patient, the phase of the disease and other clinical factors.
Taking Life Day by Day
Despite the uncertainty that can accompany a cancer diagnosis, Nivea said treatment is working, and she is determined to continue doing the things that give her life meaning.
"I am and have been very blessed in this life and won't ever take it for granted," she said in her statement.
The singer also thanked fans for their support and prayers, saying she remains focused on her health, her children and her creative ambitions.
For the singer, the diagnosis has brought a renewed sense of urgency to a life that she says she no longer wants to take for granted. As she continues treatment, she is also using the moment to pursue long-held goals and to remind others that a cancer diagnosis can be life-changing without defining an entire life.
