Beloved Aussie actor and comedian Magda Szubanski has revealed she has been diagnosed with Stage IV Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer.
Szubanski shared the news in a video posted to social media, where she said she had shaved her head in anticipation of it falling out during treatment.
“I have just been diagnosed with a very rare, very aggressive lymphoma,” she said. “It is one of the nasty ones unfortunately.”
“The good thing is I’m surrounded by beautiful friends and family and an incredible medical support team. Honestly we have the best in the world here in Australia.”
Szubanski, best-known for her iconic role in Kath & Kim, said she’s started on “one of the best treatments available” and is lucky to be getting world-class care in Melbourne.
“I won’t sugar-coat it: it’s rough. But I’m hopeful,” she said.
Szubanski said the cancer was discovered when she went for a breast screen, and they incidentally found her lymph nodes were up.
“TBH, I’ve been feeling pretty ratshit for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and – voila!” she said.
“So the takeaway is – get tested and listen to your body!”
Szubanski ended the video on a light-hearted note, saying sometimes you’ve just got to laugh.
“It’s pretty confronting. It is a full on one. But new treatments keep coming down the pipeline all the time … I’ve just got to (laughs).
“What do you? What are you gonna do?”