Actress and singer Olivia Newton-John, just spoke out in a new interview to give fans an update about her battle with cancer after being diagnosed with a third round of breast cancer last year.
In an interview with 60 Minutes Australia on Sunday, the Grease star shared she is currently in treatment for stage 4 breast cancer.
She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and underwent chemotherapy, a partial mastectomy and breast reconstruction. She found out her cancer had returned in 2013 after she discovered a lump on her shoulder.
Then in 2017, she announced she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that had metastasized to her bones.
Newton-John told 60 Minutes she feels so lucky to have been through it three times and is still here. But she acknowledged that with a cancer diagnosis comes the realization you may not have as much time left.
“We know we’re gonna die at some point, unfortunately being humans we have that knowledge, and we don’t know when it is. When you’re given a cancer diagnosis or a scary honest diagnosis, you’re suddenly given a possibility of a time limit,” Newton-John said.
“The truth is you could get hit by a truck tomorrow, you don’t know. So every day is a gift, particularly now.”
She said no one has told her specifically how much time she has left, and she doesn’t try to find out what her prognosis might be, because she believes if you know the statistics, you’re going to make them happen.
“If somebody tells you, you have six months to live, very possibly you will because you believe that,” Newton-John shared. “So for me, psychologically, it’s better not to have any idea of what they expect or what the last person that has what you have lived, so I don’t tune in. It’s just better for me.”
“I don’t talk about a battle or a war, because I think that sets up that kind of feeling in your body like you’re battling something strange inside you,” she explained. “I let it go and tell it to leave and talk to my body to heal itself and don’t try to make it that. Because that takes up your whole life and your whole being.”
“I kind of have a way of dissociating and compartmentalizing it,” she added. “Otherwise, you become a victim, which I don’t want to be and am not. Or you become a slave to it, and talk about it all the time, which I try not to do either.”
Hugh Jackman filmed a heartfelt message for Olivia Newton-John after she revealed she doesn't know how long she has left to live.
The Greatest Showman star recorded a supportive message for the Sandy actress, 70, while on tour in Sydney, Australia.
He said: “Hi Olivia, it’s Hugh and 15,000 of your friends and fans,” before panning around the stadium where he was performing.
Jackman added: “Listen, you are the most amazing person, the most amazing mum, the most amazing ambassador, singer and dancer.”
The Aussie actor then asked the audience to shout in unison: “We love you, Olivia,” before kissing the camera.
