Olivia Newton-John Reoccurrence That Has Spread

DivineMrsM

From CNN:

Olivia Newton-John battling breast cancer again

The singer, 68, was set to hit the road in June for concerts in the U.S. and Canada, after initially postponing the tour earlier this month.

"The back pain that initially caused her to postpone the first half of her concert tour, has turned out to be breast cancer that has metastasized to the sacrum," a statement posted on her official Facebook page read.

Newton-John had previously been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992.

She was declared cancer free after receiving chemotherapy and a partialmastectomy.

Since her own battle, Newton-John has been an advocate for breast cancer awareness.

She has a cancer center named after her in Melbourne, Australia.

"In addition to natural wellness therapies, Olivia will complete a short course of photon radiation therapy and is confident she will be back later in the year, better than ever, to celebrate her shows," the statement said.

Rescheduled concert dates are expected to be posted on the singer's website in the coming weeks.

Tina2

So sorry to learn this. I have it on good authority that she is a lovely person in addition to being a great, good-humored entertainer. I wish her the best.

Tina

DivineMrsM

Tina, ONJ does seem to come across as a genuinely good person. She has had her share of tough times. I, too, wish her the best.

MameMe

Thanks for this, Ms M. I know that celebrities can be huge helps in improving public understanding of how cancer really works. I pay attention when I see something like this, and hope for accurate info and some degree of detail that can throw more light on what lots of us live with in our personal lives.

Fitztwins

25 years later is CRAZY. I wish her the best too. I always liked her.

Beatmon

Has anybody seen what her initial diagnosis of type was? ( if they recognized the types 25 years ago) I feel such sadness that she has to face this. She is loved universally.

I think that her having MBC will add to the general population education of what metastatic means

Dafne

I just read it in the news today... 25 years! This damn cancer sucks. Not that I've never heard it might come back after all those years, but God, it's so unfair. I so hope she gets better and most of all, I truly wish and pray one day medical community will understand the mechanism behind cancer spreading.

DivineMrsM

Yes, and the fact that even when declared "cured" by the medical field, for many women, they will always sense that they could have a reoccurrence..... the spectre of bc following them around.

Grannax2

I'm about her age and my first BC was DX the same year. Yes, I remember her vividly. Both of us at the beginning of our battle. Now, both of us with MBC at the same time 25 years later. Only difference is I also have had DX in 2000 and 2009.

It's a mean, haunting disease.

lulud471

I wonder if she had lobular or ductal. Guessing lobular since it was so long between initial and recurrance. But who knows :-( stinks either way.

Sadiesservant

Lisa, I don’t think the length of time between initial diagnosis and recurrence indicates lobular. I had ductal carcinoma and it was almost 16 years between my original diagnosis and my recurrence.

Tina2

Agree! Stage I primary diagnosed in 1985, Stage I primary diagnosed in the other breast 1995. Stage IV diagnosed 2011.

Go figure!

Tina