EMINEM - EMINEM'S MOTHER IN SECRET CANCER NIGHTMARE

Controversial rapper EMINEM has yet to find out his estranged mother DEBBIE MATHERS-BRIGGS is secretly battling with breast cancer - and needs her famous son's financial help for medical treatment.

The STAN star's mum famously threatened to sue her child for $7 million (GBP4 million) for derogatory references to her in his lyrics - and the pair have not patched up their relationship.

But now, Debbie's brother TODD NELSON has revealed his sister was diagnosed with the disease four months ago (JAN03) but has yet to tell Eminem, real name MARSHALL MATHERS III, despite the fact she is too poor to afford any treatment.

Nelson says, "Debbie can't even afford to go see a doctor. Marshall doesn't know about his mother's condition and Debbie doesn't want to tell him. She doesn't think he would believe her. She's just about given up."

And defending his sister from the harsh statements the 8 MILE actor has made about her, Nelson adds, "I've lost count of the articles I've read where Marshall claims he's had a hard life. He doesn't know what a hard life is.

"His mother looked after him so well. He grew up not having to take responsibility for anything because Debbie did it all for him."