She was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time in May this year, more than twenty years after her first diagnosis.
And Olivia Newton-John will open up about her health struggles in an emotional interview, touted by 60 Minutes as ‘the interview of the year.’
In a preview clip of the interview that airs on Sunday, the 68-year-old iconic actress looks visibly strained while discussing her cancer diagnosis and the effect it has had on her family.
Emotional: Olivia Newton-John opens up about her health struggles in an emotional interview touted by 60 Minutes as ‘the interview of the year’
At one point, the softly spoken star is comforted by interviewer Karl Stefanovic, who also becomes emotional during the candid conversation.
‘Of course it’s scary, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t scary but I intend to be healthy,’ she says.
Karl asks Olivia how her 31-year-old daughter Chloe handled the news: ‘How was it to tell Chloe, was she ok?’
Difficult: In a preview clip of the interview that airs on Sunday, the 68-year-old iconic actress looks visibly strained while discussing her cancer diagnosis and the effect it has had on her family
Sympathetic: At one point, Karl Stefanovic sympathetically points out: ‘You’ve had so many battles’
After a brief pause, a teary-eyed Olivia replies: ‘Well that was, yeah that wasn’t easy.’
In an attempt to look on the bright side, the Grease actress says: ‘I’ve had and I’m having an amazing life, so… everyone goes through something.’
At one point, Karl sympathetically points out: ‘You’ve had so many battles.’
Support: At one point, the softly spoken star is comforted by interviewer Karl Stefanovic, who also becomes emotional during the candid conversation
A walk through nature: The pair are seen walking hand-in-hand while barefoot and surrounded by greenery
But Olivia remains optimistic, saying: ‘I’m doing ok.’
The pair are seen walking hand-in-hand while barefoot and surrounded by greenery, and Karl replies: ‘Aren’t you? you’re doing great.’
In May, Olivia shared news of her cancer diagnosis with fans while announcing she had been forced to postpone her concert tour dates in Canada and the US.
Challenging: Karl asks Olivia how her 31-year-old daughter Chloe (R) handled the news: ‘How was it to tell Chloe, was she ok?’ After a brief pause, a teary-eyed Olivia replied: ‘Well that was, yeah that wasn’t easy’
The star was first treated for breast cancer in 1992, at the age of 43. She underwent a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy and breast reconstruction.
The emotional 60 Minutes interview comes after Olivia spoke for the first time about the importance of medical marijuana in her treatment and why Australia needs to take California’s lead.
‘It’s an important part of treatment, and it should be available,’ she told The Daily Telegraph.
‘It should be available’: Olivia recently spoke for the first time about the importance of medical marijuana in her second battle with breast cancer
The actress, who learned in May that breast cancer had returned and metastasized to her lower back, insisted the natural remedy is working wonders.
Olivia also praised California’s steps to legalise cannabis, making obtaining it far easier than in back home in Australia.
It also helps that her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, grows the divisive substance on a farm in Oregon.
Important: ‘I use medicinal cannabis, which is really important for pain and healing… ‘It’s a plant that’s been maligned for so long, and has so many abilities to heal,’ the 68-year-old said
Behind: Olivia also praised her current home of California’s steps to legalise cannabis, making obtaining it far easier than in back home in Australia
‘I use medicinal cannabis, which is really important for pain and healing… ‘It’s a plant that has been maligned for so long, and has so many abilities to heal,’ she said.
Olivia acknowledged the Australian government’s legalisation of cannabis for medical use, but knows that widespread implementation is a long way off.
Then there’s her current home of California, that went a step further in the last election, voting to legalise marijuana for both medical and recreational use.
Olivia pledged to the publication that she’ll do what she can to ‘champion its use’ in Australia.
She added: ‘It’s an important part of treatment, and it should be available. I use it for the pain and it’s also a medicinal thing to do — the research shows it’s really helpful.’
The Grammy winner announced her cancer had returned this past May upon postponing a planned concert tour.
A long way off: Olivia acknowledged the Australian government’s legalisation of cannabis for medical use, but knows that widespread implementation is a long way off
While she first cited back pain due to sciatica, her doctors later confirmed that her breast cancer had metastasized to her sacrum.
‘In addition to natural wellness therapies, Olivia will complete a short course of photon radiation therapy and is confident she will be back later in the year, better than ever, to celebrate her shows,’ her reps said in a statement at the time.
The songstress initially was diagnosed with cancer in 1992, undergoing chemotherapy and a partial mastectomy, and subsequently, a breast reconstruction.
Postponed: The Grammy winner announced her cancer had returned this past May upon postponing a planned concert tour