Taylor Swift's mother has been diagnosed with cancer.

The Love Story hitmaker revealed she and her brother Austin urged their mum, Andrea Finlay, 57, to go for a routine health scan in December (14) which led to doctors finding the disease.

Swift urged fans to make sure their parents are scanned and insisted that she wants her mother's health battle to be fought privately.

In a post on her Tumblr.com account she writes, "I asked my mom that one of her gifts to me be her going to the doctor to get screened for any health issues, just to ease some worries of mine. She agreed, and went in to get checked... The results came in, and I'm saddened to tell you that my mom has been diagnosed with cancer. I'd like to keep the details of her condition and treatment plans private, but she wanted you to know.

"She wanted you to know because your parents may be too busy juggling everything they've got going on to go to the doctor, and maybe you reminding them to go get checked for cancer could possibly lead to an early diagnosis and an easier battle... Or peace of mind in knowing that they're healthy... She wanted you to know why she may not be at as many shows this tour. She's got an important battle to fight. Thank you for caring about my family so much that she would want me to share this information with you. I hope and pray that you never get news like this."