Jane Fonda stated on Friday that she has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a “very controllable illness,” and that she has begun chemotherapy for the condition.
In a message posted to social media, the Oscar-winning actress and environmental activist, 84, struck a positive tone. In the statement, she stated that she would not let her illness prohibit her from raising awareness about the dangers of climate change.
“So, my dear friends, I have something personal I want to share,” Fonda wrote in a post to her followers. “I was recently given a diagnosis of non-lymphoma Hodgkin’s and have been getting chemotherapy treatment. This is a cancer that responds favorably to treatment. Given that just 20% of individuals survive, I consider myself quite fortunate. I am also extremely fortunate in that I have health insurance and have access to the best medical specialists and therapies.”
“I’ve come to the unsettling awareness that I am fortunate in this predicament. Cancer has impacted almost every family in the United States at some point, and despite the disease’s prevalence, far too many people do not have access to high-quality medical treatment, as I have. This is incorrect.”
“We also need to talk a lot more not just about therapies, but also about what caused the problem so that we can get rid of it,” she added. “For example, people should be aware that fossil fuels might cause cancer. Insecticides, the majority of which are derived from fossil fuels such as mine, also pollute the environment. I’m currently getting chemotherapy for six months and am doing really well with the treatments. Believe me when I say that none of this will stop me from engaging in climate activism.”
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most prevalent type of lymphoma, as described by the Mayo Clinic “a form of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, which is a component of the immune system that defends the body from infectious invaders. When a patient develops non-lymphoma, white blood cells known as lymphocytes multiply irregularly and may create growths (tumors) anywhere in the body.” Hodgkin’s Furthermore, the association claims that advances in diagnosis and treatment “have helped improve the outlook for people with this disease.”
Fonda has had a distinguished and long career in the film industry, with highlights including Best Actress nominations for Klute (1971) and Coming Home (1973). She received the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2014, as well as the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes the year before.
The seventh and last season of the Netflix sitcom Grace and Frankie, starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, was released earlier this year. Fonda’s appearance on the show was relatively new. She is also a passionate environmental activist, and in 2019, she was detained several times as a result of her participation in rallies in Washington, DC.
