TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Olivia Newton-John diagnosed with cancer for third time

News Desk (Agence France-Presse)
Sydney, Australia
Tue, September 11, 2018

Share This Article

Change Size

Olivia Newton-John diagnosed with cancer for third time British-Australian singer Olivia Newton-John performs at the 58th Vina del Mar International Song Festival on February 23, 2017 in Vina del Mar, Chile. (AFP/Paul Plaza)

O

livia Newton-John, the Australian singer who found worldwide fame in the hit movie "Grease", has revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer for the third time.

The 69-year-old told Australian television broadcaster Channel Seven that doctors had discovered a tumour at the base of her spine.

She has since undergone radiation treatment, and is also treating the disease with natural therapies such as the use of cannabis oil. 

"I'm still treating it, and I'm treating it naturally and doing really well, yeah," she told the network late Sunday from her home in California.

Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, but beat the disease. In 2013, she found out that she had cancer in her shoulder.

The entertainer said she has moments of despair, but is keeping positive.

"There are moments. I'm human. So if I allow myself to go there, I could easily create that, you know, big fear," she added.

Read also: Travolta, Newton-John reunite for 40th anniversary celebration of 'Grease'

Newton-John, a supporter of cancer charities since her first diagnosis, said she was also hopeful growing cannabis for personal medicinal use would become legal in Australia, like in California.

"In California it's legal to grow a certain amount of plants for your own medicinal purposes. So he (husband John Easterling) makes me tinctures. It's hard to say, they help with pain," she said.

"I'm very lucky that I live in a state where it's legal and that I have a husband that is a plant-medicine man.

"My dream is that, in Australia soon, it will be available to all the cancer patients and people going through cancer that causes pain."

In Australia, medicinal cannabis is legal by prescription from doctors for certain illnesses, although the laws governing its use varies from state to state.

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.