ELLEN CANCELS APPEARANCE TO UNDERGO BIOPSY

Comedienne ELLEN DeGENERES cancelled an appearance at a cancer charity gala in Los Angles on Tuesday (01MAR05) because she had to undergo a biopsy.

The talk show queen was booked to host the 2005 Courage Award ceremony to honour Tour de France champion and cancer survivor LANCE ARMSTRONG - but pulled out because she is undergoing surgery later this week (ends4MAR05) to have some polyps removed from her cervix.

A friend tells PAGESIX.COM, "Ellen could not host the cancer benefit because she had a biopsy.

"This is not an uncommon problem women have.

"Every woman should get checked (by a gynaecologist) regularly."