Despite the breast cancer diagnosis, Wilson is thankful to have such a supportive husband, family, friends, and also doctors.
- Apr 15, 2015
AceShowbiz - Rita Wilson opens up about being diagnosed with breast cancer recently. She, moreover, shares about undergoing double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery following the health issue, thanking her husband Tom Hanks, family, friends, and doctors to have helped her getting through the difficult times.
"I have taken a leave from the play 'Fish in the Dark' to deal with a personal health issue," the 58-year-old actress revealed in an interview with PEOPLE. "Last week, with my husband by my side, and with the love and support of family and friends, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer after a diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma."
"I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery. Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion," Wilson shared to the site. "I have had an underlying condition of LCIS, (lobular carcinoma in situ) which has been vigilantly monitored through yearly mammograms and breast MRIs. Recently, after two surgical breast biopsies, PLCIS (pleomorphic carcinoma in situ) was discovered. I mention this because there is much unknown about PLCIS and it is often found alongside DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). I was relieved when the pathology showed no cancer."
"However, a friend who had had breast cancer suggested I get a second opinion on my pathology and my gut told me that was the thing to do," Wilson recalled. "A different pathologist found invasive lobular carcinoma. His diagnosis of cancer was confirmed by, yet, another pathologist."
"I share this to educate others that a second opinion is critical to your health. You have nothing to lose if both opinions match up for the good, and everything to gain if something that was missed is found, which does happen. Early diagnosis is key," Wilson stated, adding, "I hope this will encourage others to get a second opinion and to trust their instincts if something doesn't 'feel' right."
Above all, "I feel blessed to have a loving, supportive husband, family, friends and doctors and that I am the beneficiary of advances in the field of breast cancer and reconstruction," so she claimed. "I am getting better every day and look forward to renewed health." Wilson is expected to make a return to Broadway play "Fish in the Dark" on May 5.
