Australian prime minister sends best wishes to cancer-stricken pop star Kylie Minogue

Australian pop star Kylie Minogue was forced to temporarily shut down her Web site Wednesday due to the huge number of fans visiting it to check her condition after she announced she has breast cancer.

"Due to the overwhelming response to today's sad news regarding Kylie we have had to disable the site temporarily," a message on the site www.kylie.com said. "We hope to have the site back online shortly and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."

Meanwhile, Australia's prime minister and scores of fans delivered their best wishes Wednesday to Minogue as the pop diva prepared to undergo treatment for breast cancer.

"A young woman, Kylie Minogue, any young woman of that age to be diagnosed with that condition - it does send a shudder through you," Prime Minister John Howard told Southern Cross radio.

"I think all Australians feel for her and wish her well and hope that it has been detected in the very early stages and she will make a full recovery," he added. Howard's wife Janette was treated for cancer in 1996. The nature of the cancer was never disclosed.

Minogue, 36, announced Tuesday she has breast cancer and will undergo treatment immediately. Experts say she most likely will have any lump surgically removed and may undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy to fight the possible spread of the cancer.

In a statement, Minogue said: "I was so looking forward to bringing the Showgirl tour to Australian audiences, and am sorry to have to disappoint my fans. Nevertheless hopefully all will work out fine and Ill be back with you all again soon."

Meanwhile, reporters camped outside the Minogue family home in a wealthy suburb of the southern city of Melbourne, but there was no sign of the diva.

Throughout the day, friends and fans of the pop superstar delivered messages and flowers to the family home.

After passing a gold-colored envelope through the gates of the house, David Woods told reporters he had known the singer since she was 13.

"She's the strongest girl I've ever met and known," he said. "I was just wishing her the best ... it's a little note saying 'I know you'll come through this', because she's such a strong woman."

Later, a group of seven schoolgirls, including 15-year-old Stephanie Skovsdal, dropped a handwritten letter into the mailbox.

"Our heart goes out to her and we hope she gets better in her time of need," said Skovsdal, who said she had been a fan of the pop superstar "forever."

AP