Magda Szubanski has announced she is in remission from stage four mantle cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, after completing chemotherapy. The 64-year-old actor and comedian shared the news in a video on Instagram on Friday, wishing fans a happy Mardi Gras.
“I wanted to share the fantastic news, which is that I’ve completed chemo, and I am now in remission. So phew, big relief,” Szubanski said. She cautioned that remission is not a cure, but expressed hope that it would “keep the cancer at bay for a good long time.”
Szubanski was diagnosed nine months ago and had shaved her head ahead of treatment. In her message, she thanked her medical team and Australia’s healthcare system for their care, and expressed gratitude to fans for their support, which she said helped her both emotionally and physically.
She also warned fans about scams, urging them to ignore social media posts about her health or fundraisers in her name, and to only believe information she posts herself. “Seems I’m not dead,” she joked. “Better check with social media, because that knows more about me than I do.”
Szubanski appeared with a short grey hairstyle, quipping that it “may have previously belonged to Napoleon.” She is best known for her role as Sharon Strzelecki in Kath & Kim and for her sketch comedy work. In August, she was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame.
