Elvis Costello kicked off his European summer tour in June. But following surgery to remove “a small but very aggressive cancerous malignancy,” the critically acclaimed English singer-songwriter has been forced to cancel the six remaining tour dates, reports The Guardian.

In an announcement on his website, Costello said his specialist told him six weeks ago that his cancer could be treated in a single surgery. (This was the first time Costello publicly shared his cancer diagnosis.) Because the operation was successful and recovery is usually three to four weeks—depending on whether patients are returning to a desk job or more physically demanding employment—Costello continued plans for his European tour.

But he admitted, “It was impossible to judge how this advisory would line up with the demands on a traveling musician.”

“The spirit has been more than willing but I have to now accept that it is going to take longer than I would have wished for me to recover for my full strength,” Costello said. “Therefore, I must reluctantly cancel all the remaining engagements of this tour.”

Costello is taking a hiatus from touring, but he promises his fans that he and his band, the Imposters, would release a new record in October.

Although he did not identify the cancer he had, he concluded his letter by specifically addressing his male supporters.

“Gentlemen, do talk to your friends—you’ll find you are not alone—seek your doctor’s advice if you are in doubt or when it is timely and act as swiftly as you may in these maters,” Costello said. “It may save your life. Believe me, it is better than playing roulette.”

Click here to learn about another English celebrity who was diagnosed with cancer in 2018.