The singer and actress Olivia Newton-John released an emotional video on Monday in which she tearfully discussed being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Fox News reported that the former Grease star was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, and she later came out victorious in a secret second battle with cancer in 2013 before being diagnosed again in 2017. The 72 year-old icon currently has stage four metastatic breast cancer, and in her video, she announced a new foundation in her name to help other cancer survivors.
“I am probably one of those people who’s living beyond cancer, living beyond probably what people expected to happen,” Newton-John said.
She went on to become emotional as she recalled her initial cancer diagnosis in 1992, saying, “I knew immediately something was wrong.
“I had a mammogram,” Newton-John said. “The mammogram was benign and I had a needle biopsy that was also benign. I don’t say this to scare women, but you have to just trust your instincts.”
“All this was overwhelming. It was a feeling of dread, terror, the unknown,” she recalled of that time.
Newton-John explained that she made the conscious decision to be strong for the sake of her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi.
“I made the decision that I was going to be okay,” the Australian singer said. “I had to believe I was going to be okay, that my daughter was the most important thing in my life and I would be okay for her.”
Newton-John then talked about the many types of cancer treatments she’s receiving, including chemotherapy, meditation, acupuncture, massage, and plant medicine that helps her manage her pain. She has been an advocate for medicinal marijuana for years, and she frequently uses it herself.
“Plant medicine has played an amazing role in my life. I have seen the incredible beauty of the plants and their healing abilities,” the Xanadu actress said. “I know it sounds strange but if I hadn’t had that experience, I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you about kinder therapies.”
“Your body wants to heal itself,” Newton-John added. That’s why I’m excited to start this foundation.”
The Olivia Newton-John foundation states on its website, “We will fund the discovery of kinder therapies and advocate for more effective ways to prevent, treat and cure all cancers.”
God bless Newton-John for going above and beyond to help her fellow cancer survivors!
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