Actress Jane Fonda announced on Friday that she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system.
Fonda, 84, detailed her diagnosis in an Instagram caption and revealed that she had already started chemotherapy.
“This is a very treatable cancer,” she wrote. “80% of people survive, so I feel very lucky.”
Fonda said that she would undergo chemo treatments for six months and would not let her treatments interrupt her climate activism. She says she is handling the chemo well.
The activist also used her caption as an opportunity to call attention to the importance of healthcare. She noted her privilege of having access to top-notch care while recognizing that not everyone is as fortunate.
“I’m also lucky because I have health insurance and access to the best doctors and treatments. I realize, and it’s painful, that I am privileged in this,” she continued. “Almost every family in America has had to deal with cancer at one time or another, and far too many don’t have access to the quality health care I am receiving, and this is not right.”
She finished her caption by reminding her followers that the midterm elections are right around the corner. She emphasized the importance of getting to the polls this fall.
“The midterms are looming, and they are beyond consequential, so you can count on me to be right there together with you as we grow our army of climate champions,” Fonda said.
