Earth Essences.Com

Jane Fonda has been diagnosed with cancer

Lauded for her turns in 1971's Klute and 1978's Coming Home, the 84-year-old made a public announcement via Instagram yesterday (September 2), telling her followers: "So, my dear friends, I have something personal I want to share. I've been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and have started chemo treatments.

"This is a very treatable cancer. 80% of people survive, so I feel very lucky.

"I'm also lucky because I have health insurance and access to the best doctors and treatments. I realise, and it's painful, that I am privileged in this. Almost every family in America has had to deal with cancer at one time or another and far too many don't have access to the quality health care I am receiving and this is not right," Fonda continued to write.

"We also need to be talking much more not just about cures but about causes so we can eliminate them. For example, people need to know that fossil fuels cause cancer. So do pesticides, many of which are fossil fuel-based, like mine."

The American actress went on to reveal that she's currently undergoing chemotherapy for six months and is "handling the treatments quite well", before promising that her cancer diagnosis will not "interfere with my climate activism".

Jane Fonda, Oscars© Kevin Winter - Getty Images

"Cancer is a teacher and I'm paying attention to the lessons it holds for me. One thing it's shown me already is the importance of community. Of growing and deepening one's community so that we are not alone. And the cancer, along with my age - almost 85 - definitely teaches the importance of adapting to new realities."

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a form of cancer developed inside the lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system. Lymph (a clear fluid) flows through lymphatic vessels and contains white blood cells, known as lymphocytes, yet those affected with the disease begin multiplying in abnormal ways and essentially lose their infection-fighting properties (via NHS). 

Reference: Dan Seddon