The 78 year old reveals she has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and is undergoing treatment in Little Rock, Arkansas.

In a statement issued to The Associated Press, Bonnie expresses her determination to overcome the illness and "live many more years".

Her older sibling, Jim Ed, died in June (15).

The news comes a month before The Browns - the 1960s trio Jim Ed and Bonnie formed with sister Maxine - are due to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.