Olivia Newton-JohnCelebrated entertainer Olivia Newton-John has been diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time, after recent recurrent pain was found to be attributable to the illness returning and metastasizing to her sacrum (lower back).
Newton-John's team broke the news on her Facebook page this morning, issuing a statement explaining that the Grease star would be "reluctantly" postponing her tour of the United States and Canada set for this June to undergo treatment.
"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 post said.
Newton-John provided comment, saying that she decided on which therapies and treatment to undertake "after consultation with my doctors and natural therapists and the medical team at my Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne".
Newton-John has been a staunch activist for breast cancer research and awareness since her initial diagnosis in 1992. She opened her eponymous research centre in 2012, raising funds through a three-week-long walk along the Great Wall Of China and companion album, A Celebration In Song.
In a statement released via the research centre's website, medical director Professor Jonathon Cebon said: "Late relapses from breast cancer can occur, especially for women with ‘hormone receptor-positive’ breast cancer.
"These relapses can occur sometimes even decades after initial treatment for early breast cancer. This unpredictability of breast cancer, and its ability to return after many years, is an area of active research at the institute through our Translational Breast Cancer Program."
The broader staff, students and Board of the centre expressed their well-wishes in the statement, saying they were "sending her positive thoughts for a speedy recovery".
