Breast cancer symptoms after Olivia Newton-John's 30-year battle with disease
09.08.2022 - 18:35
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Music icon Olivia Newton-John passed away on Monday, announced her husband John Easterling, setting off a wave of tributes and condolences for the beloved singer.
He said Olivia died peacefully at her ranch in southern California at the age of 73. John paid tribute to her as a symbol of "triumphs and hope" for over 30 years as she shared her journey with breast cancer.
The Grease star was diagnosed in 1992 and announced that the cancer had returned in 2017 and spread to her back - symptoms initially diagnosed as sciatica. Her cause of death has yet to be announced.
And now, sadly, Samantha Womack has revealed she has breast cancer in the wake of Olivia's death. The Eastenders actress made the announcement alongside a throwback picture during her stint as Sandy in the West End in which Samantha and her daughter posed with Olivia who had come to see the production.
Samantha said: "This was the most magical of evenings. Olivia and Chloe had come to see Grease in London and we had dinner together afterwards. I was so excited and in awe, she was my childhood. I now start my own battle with this disease and am left feeling deeply moved."
The actress and singer was also a passionate advocate for breast cancer research. In 2008, Olivia, who grew up in Australia, opened the Olivia Newton-John (ONH) Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne.
She opened up about her journey on the foundation's website, writing: "In 1992, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The diagnosis came the same weekend my father died of cancer, so you can imagine the shock.
"I learned very quickly how important it was for me to think positively. When the second friend I called with the news burst into tears, I thought - this is too stressful. I had to find someone