Jesse Jackson says he has visited with Aretha Franklin four or five times recently and the legendary singer is "recovering very well" from surgery.

Jackson spoke to the Associated Press today, just as reports surfaced that Franklin, 68, is battling pancreatic cancer.

The Queen of Soul has not revealed what surgery she had, but said in a statement on Dec. 2 it was "highly successful." She noted, "God is still in control."

Now, the National Enquirer, which broke news of Michael Landon's and Patrick Swazye's cancer battles, is reporting that doctors made the diagnosis this summer after Aretha fell in the shower and suffered some broken ribs.

The Detroit News says a source "familiar with the situation" confirmed the cancer story. Fox2News is reporting that an unnamed family friend confirmed the cancer news. Local4 in Detroit also claims to have confirmed the news.

Tracey Jordan, Franklin's publicist, has not responded to requests for comment.

Jackson, meanwhile, said Franklin takes daily walks up and down the hall of her hospital, and her spirits "are high and her faith is strong."

USA TODAY's Liz Szabo reports that pancreatic cancers are among the most lethal of all tumors, with only about 4% of patient surviving five years or more.

About 43,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year and about 37,000 die from it, according to the American Cancer Society.

Surgery to remove the tumor is the only way to cure the disease. Only about 20% of patients are eligible for surgery, however, because most aren't diagnosed until the disease has spread around the body.