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Celebrity

16th Nov 2022

Jane Fonda reveals she won’t be around much longer after cancer diagnosis

Ellen Fitzpatrick

Heartbreaking.

Jane Fonda has opened up more about her cancer diagnosis and has admitted that she is “not going to be around for much longer”.

Jane revealed on Instagram in September that she had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and said at the time that her type of cancer is “very treatable” and she had started treatment for it.

Since sharing her health update, Jane has openly spoken about it with Entertainment Tonight, telling the publication that she has come to terms with her illness.

She said: “I’m not going to be around for much longer. When you get to be my age, you better be aware of the amount of time that is behind you, as opposed to in front of you. I mean, that’s just realistic.”

Adding that she is “not afraid of going”, she continued: “I’m ready. I’ve had a great life. Not that I want to go, but I’m aware that it’s going to be sooner rather than later.”

Opening up about her diagnosis on Instagram, the Hollywood legend wrote: “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 realize, 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.

“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.

“I’m doing chemo for 6 months and am handling the treatments quite well and, believe me, I will not let any of this interfere with my climate activism.

“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.”