Olivia Newton-John Reveals Her Breast Cancer Has Returned, 25 Years After First Diagnosis | HuffPost

Olivia plans to seek natural treatments as part of her therapies.

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Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

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Olivia Newton-John has revealed that she is suffering once again from cancer, 25 years after her original diagnosis.

The Australian singer has shared the news that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer, the same illness that she had previously, and that this time it has spread to her sacrum.

Olivia revealed this setback to explain why she has been forced to cancel a series of forthcoming tour dates, while she seeks treatment.

The ‘Grease’ star was originally diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 when she was 43. At the time, she undertook chemotherapy and had a partial mastectomy.

Olivia Newton-John has revealed she is postponing concert dates while she undergoes treatment for cancer

Gabe Ginsberg via Getty Images

Now 68, she first felt unwell with back pain, and sought treatment for sciatica. Now, she has shared with her fans that she plans to seek natural treatments, along with photon radiation therapy.

Her statement today read:

“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.”

The statement added that the singer feels confident she’ll be back on the road again soon.

She says: “I decided on my direction of therapies after consultation with my doctors and natural therapists and the medical team at my Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia.”

Since overcoming her previous illness, Olivia has been tireless in raising money for research towards prevention and cure. She opened the medical centre in her own name in Melbourne in 2008, having raised funds by taking a sponsored walk along the Great Wall of China.

Read her full statement below.

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN POSTPONES JUNE CONCERT DATES
May 30, 2017 - Las Vegas, NV — Olivia Newton-John is reluctantly postponing her June U.S. and Canadian concert tour dates. 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.
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.
“I decided on my direction of therapies after consultation with my doctors and natural therapists and the medical team at my Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia,” says Olivia Newton-John.
There will be no interview requests accepted at this time as Olivia’s focus is on her treatment and healing. Ticket buyers for the upcoming concerts should contact venues directly about refunds. Rescheduled concert dates will be posted at OliviaNewton-John.com in the coming weeks.

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Kylie Minogue moved to Paris for treatment for breast cancer following her diagnosis in 2005. She eventually gave some intensely revealing interviews about this dark period in her life, and said the 5-year anniversary would be a very important moment.

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Delta Goodrem - was diagnosed at 18 with Hodgkins Lymphoma, an announcement that incited an outpouring of support from her particularly Australian fanbase.

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Leslie Ash became the unfortunate figurehead of the MRSA bug that plagued various UK hospitals after she caught the superbug. The actress was awarded £5m in damages, and still walks with a stick.

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In the two decades since Michael J Fox's Parkinson's diagnosis, the popular actor has continued to work on both TV and film, as well as writing two autobiographies and creating a foundation. He has received many awards for his humanitarian work, and says that his illness has in countless ways improved his life.

(05 of22)

Olivia Newton-John's breast cancer diagnosis and treatment has inspired the Australian singer to work tirelessly on behalf of others, including walking the Chinese wall to raise funds for her new Wellness Centre in a Melbourne hospital.

(06 of22)

TLC's T-Boz (Tionna Watkins) was diagnosed as a child with sickle cell anaemia, which gave her a reduced life expectancy by doctors she has continued to confound.

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Christopher Reeve was paralysed following his fall from a horse in 1995. Until his death a decade later, the actor dedicated his efforts to raising funds and advocating for political support to removing the blocks to essential stem cell research for spinal injuries.

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Anastasia - the American singer discovered she had breast cancer during a standard mammogram ahead of breast reduction surgery in 2003. Following her own treatment, she immediately launched the Anastasia Fund to promote awareness among younger women.

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Michael C Hall had a mixed year in 2010. He received a Golden Globe for his role in Dexter, which he accepted during his treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The following April, he announced himself once again fit for work.

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Anthony Andrews - was hospitalised in 2003 for "a salt imbalance". This came about as the unexpected consequence of drinking too much water while performing on stage during a hot weather spell in London.

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Russell Watson has recently resumed his career after being struck down twice with life-threatening brain tumours. He has recorded his first album since treatment, and credits his surgery with his new, deeper voice.

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Martin Kemp - former singer and EastEnders star had two brain tumours in the 1990s, and had pioneering treatment for the second. He has been acting since, and returned to the road with his band Spandau Ballet.

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Sheryl Crow has not had a smooth time of it - going through treatment for breast cancer in 2006, and then this year announcing she has a brain tumour.

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Michael Douglas received intensive treatment for throat cancer - and the stress of watching her husband's gruelling experience ignited Catherine Zeta Jones' bipolar disorder for which she attended a clinic in America.

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Mariah Carey's husband Nick Cannon was struck down with liver failure in January this year. Following his recovery, he has made public the lifestyle changes he needs to make to ensure continued health.

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Madonna broke several bones in 2005 when she fell from a horse, and suffered further bruising falling again in 2009...

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Cheryl Cole - malaria charities everywhere found their profiles shot up when the Girls Aloud singer caught the illness during a trip to Africa in 2010.

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... while Katie Price had a cancer scare in 2002 after having a malignant growth removed from her finger.

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