Olivia Newton-John Postpones Tour and Shares That She Has Breast Cancer
After postponing her tour due to back pain, Olivia Newton-John has announced that she has breast cancer.
Newton-John, 68, shared the news in a press release on Facebook, saying that she will be taking a break from performing to seek medical treatment. As a breast cancer survivor for 25 years, this news comes as a shock to her fans and followers across social media. The press release goes on to say that Newton-John will overcome the cancer and return to her touring schedule as soon as possible.
Last week, she shared on Facebook that she was suffering from horrible back pain. However, after seeing a doctor, she discovered that the cancer returned and spread to her sacrum. In addition to seeking photon radiation therapy, Newton-John is also looking into natural treatment.
"I decided on my direction of therapies after consultation with my doctors, natural therapists and medical team at my Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia," Newton-John said in the Facebook release. The press release also states she will not be taking any interviews at this time so that she can focus on her health.
Speaking about her first battle with breast cancer, Newton-John got the diagnosis after finding a lump on her breast. Since then, she spoke about encouraging people to pay attention to their bodies and to look out for anything out of the ordinary.
"I think it made me more grateful for every day," Newton-John said in an interview, "It made me more compassionate for other people going through the same thing and you realize you are much stronger than you thought you were."
Most recurrences of breast cancer happen in the first 5 years after breast cancer treatment, according to medical site Web MD. Cancer may or may not come back at all. Recurrence risks vary depending on the type of cancer and treatment the patient underwent.
