Australian comedian Judith Lucy has announced she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will undergo a double mastectomy next week. The 58-year-old TV star shared the news in an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday, October 6, explaining that doctors discovered the cancer after a recent mammogram returned an abnormal result.
Comedian jokes about diagnosis
In her post, Lucy told fans: "Hi, Australia. A little not-so-fun update from me. Three weeks ago, I went to Moonee Ponds to pick up yet two more syringes of yet another stranger's turds. And, in fact, the nurse even said to me that day, 'Gosh, it's unusual that you haven't had a better response to this'. So already, I was feeling pretty lucky," she joked.
She continued: "On my way home, I got an email from BreastScreen Australia telling me that my mammogram result was a bit weird. May I take this opportunity to say, ladies, for the love of God, keep up with your mammograms. Anyway, long story short, I've got breast cancer."
From lumpectomy to mastectomy
The actor said she had waited to reveal her diagnosis until she had a better understanding of her treatment plan. Last Friday, October 2, she underwent a lumpectomy, where further cancer was discovered. She went on: "A doctor, I'm not making this up, called Dr. Fun found more cancer. Dr Fun is amazing. I am in her debt. But we have gone from a lumpectomy to a mastectomy, which I am having on Friday next week."
Lucy revealed that after weighing up all her options, she has decided to have both breasts removed. She explained: "I said, 'While you're there, let's get rid of the other one.' Because you know something, I have had 40 years of it, if I do say so myself, large and spectacular breasts. You had your chance, fellas."
She added: "So I think I'm quite fine with going bra-free for my last chapter. And my last chapter is going to be very long and healthy." The comedian stressed that thankfully, the cancer had been discovered at a "relatively early" stage and described her disease as "relatively non-aggressive."
New book release timing
The diagnosis comes just days after the release of Lucy's latest book, Well Well Well: My Wellness Odyssey from Psychics to Psychedelics and Beyond. The memoir documents her experiences with the wellness industry and her attempts to improve her health in recent years, following her 2022 step away from stand-up comedy.
The timing of her book's release was not lost on her, as she poked fun at the coincidence in her video. She chuckled: "Now, let's address the elephant in the room. In fact, the elephant is not just in the room; the elephant is f***ing me doggy style. In fact, the elephant is f***ing me elephant style, if you will. There's nothing like releasing a book about wellness as you're being diagnosed with breast cancer."
She added that the book does not offer an easy path to a life with good health. "Fortunately," she added, "The book does not end with me going, 'And I've never been healthier'. In fact, kind of the point of the book is that there are no quick fixes and we should just all be living differently. And lots of jokes. There are lots and lots of jokes."
Well Well Well was released Down Under on September 29 and delves into Lucy's experiences across the wellness industry, including Reiki, cryotherapy, and ayahuasca, and opens up about her struggles with burnout and her decision to step away from comedy.
Lucy finished the announcement by promising that there would inevitably be more material from her latest experience. Reflecting on her life-changing condition, she confessed: "Honestly, between the faecal transplant and now the breast cancer, I think we can safely say that the book that has come out is Well Well Well, volume one. I will have a lot more to say about all of this, as I'm sure you know. I'll be keeping you abreast of everything, Australia. I really am okay, by the way. I mean, I'm in shock, but I'm okay."
