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appalachiablue

(42,956 posts)
Sun Sep 9, 2018, 05:11 PM Sep 2018

Actor Olivia Newton-John Reveals 3rd Cancer Diagnosis

Sept. 9, 2018. Olivia Newton-John successfully fought breast cancer for the first time in 1992 and went into remission. Last year, she revealed that her cancer had returned, this time in the base of her spine.

Now, in a new interview, she confesses that her current fight is actually her third cancer battle, as she learned in 2013 that the disease had returned, resurfacing in her shoulder, but decided at the time that she didn't want to publicly share news of the recurrence.

"I thought, 'It's my life,' and I just decided to keep it to myself," she explained to Australia's "Sunday Night" program, which aired on Sept. 9, according to Daily Mail Australia.

The "Grease" alum -- who's about to turn 70 -- explained that she at first thought a lump that emerged on her right shoulder was related to strain from the seat belt she was wearing when she got in a minor car accident early that year. But tests soon confirmed her breast cancer had returned two decades after her initial diagnosis. - More..

Read More, https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/celebrity/olivia-newton-john-reveals-third-cancer-diagnosis/ar-BBN5wVx

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Actor Olivia Newton-John Reveals 3rd Cancer Diagnosis (Original Post) appalachiablue Sep 2018 OP
I wish you well, Olivia! GWC58 Sep 2018 #1
A fighter with real strength who's determined, respected & loved. appalachiablue Sep 2018 #2
Did I have a crush on her in the 70s Soxfan58 Sep 2018 #3
Xanadu! bucolic_frolic Sep 2018 #4
as I do any cancer survivor heaven05 Sep 2018 #5
I remember years ago after her first diagnosis with breast cancer (two years after mine) Grammy23 Sep 2018 #6
 

heaven05

(18,124 posts)
5. as I do any cancer survivor
Sun Sep 9, 2018, 08:01 PM
Sep 2018

I wish her strength and positive vibes. It's what has gotten me through so far.

Grammy23

(5,907 posts)
6. I remember years ago after her first diagnosis with breast cancer (two years after mine)
Sun Sep 9, 2018, 08:05 PM
Sep 2018

I saw a headline in People magazine declaring her cancer free and stating she had beaten the cancer. It had been about one or two years post diagnosis, as I recall. I was skeptical because it is very difficult to say anyone is “cancer free”. The more accurate way to say that is that “there is no clinical sign of cancer.” It does not mean you ARE cancer free. It means that with the technology available you do not show evidence of disease. An oncology nurse explained it to me this way. Cancer cells in a tumor have to have reached a certain amount of mass in order to be detected on modern imaging methods. Very small tumors may be hidden or missed.

Around that same time my surgeon told me that breast cancer can recur many, many years later. He indicated he had women who had a recurrence of their breast cancer 25 years later. So he indicated one should not get complacent about mammograms and paying attention to your body even if it has been a very long time since the initial diagnosis. So much for the adage that if you get past five years you are home free. (At least with breast cancer.)

I feel so bad for Newton-John because a third recurrence is very serious, especially since it has shown up in her spine. I know with her resources she has the means to get the very best and latest treatments. I wish her the best and hope her cancer responds to treatment!

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