Pop star Kylie Minogue has worldwide support and sympathy as she starts her fight against breast cancer, and her shock diagnosis is already raising awareness among women.

The Australian star singer was expected to enter a Melbourne  hospital in as early as Wednesday after being diagnosed with early stages of breast cancer.

Kylie Minogue remained out of sight, but is believed to be in her family home with her lover, French actor Olivier Martinez, and members of her family.

Minogue, 36, learned she has breast cancer just two days before the start of an Australian tour,.

The pop icon, best known for the hit soapie Neighbours and hits I Should Be So Lucky and Can't Get You Out Of My Head, is reported to have felt exhausted during the UK leg of the Showgirl tour.

Friends say She looked pale and shivery when she stepped off a flight in Melbourne a week ago.

Approximately 11,000 australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer of some form each year.