Ananova:

Ronan Keating says he believes Kylie Minogue can overcome her battle with breast cancer.

Ronan said he was "shocked" to hear that the 36-year-old popstar has been diagnosed with breast

cancer.

He told BBC Radio Ulster: "Kylie's such a young woman it's unbelievable. I've met Kylie a couple of times and she's a wonderful woman, she's fiery, she's full of energy. She's got so much energy and

such a great will to live I believe she will overcome it. We're all praying for her.

"If it's caught early it can be cured. People think breast cancer is an older woman's disease, but it's not. Everyone needs to be very aware of this and get regular check-ups. It's very important that younger people understand regular detection is your best chance of survival."

Ronan is currently on a sponsored walk around Ireland to raise funds for cancer awareness.

The walk will raise funds for the Marie Keating Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation set up in memory of his mother who died of the disease seven years ago.

Kylie is due to go into hospital today in Melbourne to start treatment for the disease.