Kylie Minogue in hospital

Pop princess Kylie Minogue was believed to be in an Australian hospital awaiting surgery for breast cancer yesterday, as her younger sister Dannii flew in from London to join family and friends by her side.

Singer Dannii and brother Brendan, an Australian news television cameraman, arrived at Melbourne's Cabrini private hospital yesterday. Local media reported they believed Minogue was already in the hospital awaiting surgery.

Minogue announced on Tuesday that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and postponed her Australian and Asian "Showgirl Tour" concerts.

Initial tests showed the cancer was confined to the breast and Minogue would undergo surgery this week, her management said in a statement on Thursday.

News of Minogue's breast cancer has dominated Australian and British media and has attracted words of sympathy and support from some of the music industry's biggest names - from Britain's Elton John to US pop singer Madonna.

"Aside from being tremendously talented, Kylie's a fighter and I know this is a battle she will win," Madonna said on her website (www.madonna.com).

"Let's all pray for her speedy recovery and send all of our best wishes her way. With love and light to you Kylie. Madonna."

Minogue rose from a humble showbiz beginning as a teenage actress in the Australian soap opera Neighbours in the 1980s to international stardom as one of the world's top pop singers.

The star, signed to EMI, is worth about A$60 million (US$46 million), according to a 2004 list of rich young Australians compiled by BRW magazine.

Australian and international media have camped outside the Minogue family home since news of the cancer broke. Some have staked out hospitals in Melbourne.

The government in her home state of Victoria has warned media to respect her privacy or face legal action.

"This is not the time to be hanging at her house - you need to leave her alone," said Australian singer and breast cancer survivor Olivia Newton-John, who starred in the hit 1978 movie Grease with John Travolta.

Minogue's stardom has boosted the campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer and the singer has asked fans to donate to cancer research instead of sending her flowers.

The Cancer Council in Victoria (www.cancervic.org.au) said it had received more than A$7,000 (US$5,300) in donations from around the world.