Bruce Springsteen Says ‘Questions of Mortality’ Have Become ‘Part of’ Life amid Wife Patti Scialfa’s Cancer Diagnosis

The subject of mortality is on Bruce Springsteen’s mind following his wife Patti Scialfa’s blood cancer diagnosis.

In the new documentary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Scialfa, 71, publicly revealed she was diagnosed with the rare cancer multiple myeloma in 2018. The longtime member of Springsteen’s E Street Band also opened up about facing difficulties performing as a result of her illness.

PEOPLE was present for a panel at the doc’s Los Angeles premiere at the Academy of Motion Pictures Museumon Monday, Oct. 21, where Springsteen, 75, opened up about how his wife’s diagnosis has led to him speaking about the importance of cherishing life during performances.

“Hey, you get up around our age, and those are the things you’re thinking about,” he told the audience. “Patti and I have had to deal with her illness, and you’re worried about… it is a part of your life now, questions of mortality, and it just becomes a part of your life.”

The “Born in the U.S.A.” singer credited his late friend and former The Castiles band member George Theiss, who died at age 68 in 2018, for his outlook on life. “Like I say in the film, there’s a lot more yesterdays and goodbyes once you get up around where we are than there was 30 or 40 years ago,” he added.

Elsewhere in the panel, Springsteen spoke about why he made the documentary today: “Well, if we didn’t make it now, I’d be dead pretty soon. We got to make these while we can.”

Road Diary premiered Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Toronto International Film Festival, and the doc chronicles Springsteen and his band as they reunite and embark on their first tour since 2017. The tour is still ongoing.

Due to her diagnosis, Scialfa hasn’t been able to perform at every show, but in the film, she shares how much she enjoys her time onstage.

“I’ve been performing with this band for 40 years. With those first performances, it felt so good to be back onstage. Touring has become a challenge for me,” Scialfa says in the documentary. “In 2018, well, Bruce and I were doing a play on Broadway. I was diagnosed with early stage multiple myeloma.”

Although the disease, which impacts her immune system, has caused her to be more cautious, she still loves to perform.

“This affects my immune system, so I just have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go,” she adds. “Every once in a while, I come to a show or two and I can sing a few songs onstage, and that’s been a treat. That’s the new normal for me right now, and I’m okay with that.”

In the ABC News Special Bruce Springsteen: Backstage and Backstreets, which aired on Oct. 20, Springsteen shared an update on his wife’s health.

While The Boss noted that multiple myeloma is a “tough disease” and “very fatiguing,” he added, “She’s doing good. We caught it early, which was important.”