Grease star Olivia Newton John announces third cancer battle

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta

by Hollie Richardson |
Updated on

The sad news comes just weeks after celebrating Grease's 40th anniversary with co-star John Travolta

Actress, singer and all-round musical legend Olivia Newton John has revealed on an Australian TV show that she is battling her third cancer diagnosis.

The 69-year-old was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, but she didn't publicly announce that it had returned in 2002 until last night's interview.

Explaining why she kept the news private at the time, she said: "I thought, it’s my life and I just decided to keep it to myself."

Olivia Newton-John Grease
©© Shutterstock

Despite winning the battle twice before, the cancer has now returned for a third time in the bottom of Olivia's spine but she is determined to 'win over it' .

She said: "My husband’s always there, and he’s always there to support me, and I believe I will win over it and that’s my goal,

Talking about her treatment, Olivia said: "I'm one of millions in this fight - I shouldn't say fight - in this journey.

"I'm still treating it, I'm treating it naturally and I'm doing really well."

Read Doctor Christian's advice on skin cancer

Gallery

Doctor Christian's advice on skin cancer - SLIDER

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CREDIT: Getty Images

Check your moles

Elaine developed a small mole on her cheek, but years later a friend said it looked different. That's why you need to check your moles every month. It's a good idea to take photos too, because you see yourself every day and may miss changes. If you're not sure, show your mum, sister or friend. Also check places like your back, bum, scalp, soles of your feet, and between your fingers.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

Know your risk

If several relatives have had skin cancer, you're more likely to get it too, so any mole that looks suspicious should be checked. Elaine is fair-skinned, which also ups the risk, but nobody – whatever their skin type – should use sunbeds, and nobody should get burned. Burned skin is a sign you've damaged your DNA and that's a cancer risk.If you have more than 11 moles on your right arm, or any really big ones (bigger than 6mm across), your risk is increased too. If having lots of moles makes it hard to check them, you could use an app like SkinVision or Miiskin, or even pay for a mole mapping service. They cost about £150 – but if you've spent years using sunbeds, it could be a wise investment.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

What to look for

A healthy mole should be even, so both halves look the same, and the edges should be sharp – not jagged or blurred – and it should be one colour, not bigger than 6mm across and it shouldn't change. If it does, see your GP. Symptoms can take 20 years to develop, and can be caused by being burned from as far back as childhood. If you remember being as red as a lobster on childhood holidays, you need to keep checking your moles.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

Don't be fooled

Sunbeds can give out UV rays stronger than midday tropical sun, so don't think that because it's a nice machine in a shiny salon it's safe or medicalised. Those rays can also damage your eyes, so look out for dark spots or changes in your vision.Melanoma is the third most common cancer in the UK and the earlier you spot it, the easier it is to treat, so make checking your moles a monthly habit.

Sandy Grease
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Olivia Newton John is best known for her role in classic musical Grease and a pop career that saw 80s hits such as Let's Get Physical.

After her first battle in the 90s, Olivia became an advocate for breast cancer screenings in Australia and a cancer centre called the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness Research Centre was set up.

We're sending our love to Olivia and her family.

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GREASE AT 40!

Grease at 40
©Shutterstock

Grease is celebrating it's 40th birthday, but did you know this weird yet totally plausible theory about the Grease ending. John Travolta and Olivia Newton John recently attended a special bash to celebrate the birthday and fans were thrilled to see them together again.

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