Olivia Newton-John says she has been diagnosed with cancer for the third time in three decades. (Associated Press file)

Olivia Newton-John says she has been diagnosed with cancer for the third time in three decades. (Associated Press file)

Olivia Newton-John reveals she’s battling cancer for a third time

The “Grease” star, 69, says doctors discovered a tumor at the base of her spine.

  • By Rachel DeSantis New York Daily News
  • Monday, September 10, 2018 11:29am
  • Life

By Rachel DeSantis / New York Daily News

Olivia Newton-John is battling cancer for a third time.

The “Grease” star, 69, revealed on the Australian news program “Sunday Night” that doctors have discovered a tumor at the base of her spine.

Newton-John said while she is trying to stay brave, it’s not always easy to avoid falling down the rabbit hole of fear.

“I’d be lying if it said I never go there, there are moments, I’m human. So if I allow myself to go there, I could easily create a big fear, but my husband’s always there, and he’s always there to support me and I believe I will win over it, and that’s my goal,” she said.

The “Physical” singer was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 the same week her father died of cancer.

Her recovery included nine months of chemotherapy, a partial mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery.

The star revealed in May 2017 that the cancer had returned and metastasized to her lower back, though she admitted on “Sunday Night” that that wasn’t all —her first relapse actually came five years ago, and was discovered after she injured her shoulder in a minor car accident.

Newton-John said that during that time, she wanted to keep her fight private, since she’d been so vocal about her treatment in 1992.

“I’m one of millions in this fight…in this journey,” she said. “A lot of people see it as a fight and wherever you choose to see it, that’s your prerogative. I see it as part of my…whatever you want to call it. I see it as part of my mission, maybe.”

The Australian actress and singer said that she is treating this bout “naturally” with a healthier diet completely devoid of sugar, as well as radiation treatments.

As for the pain, she’s leaving that to cannabis oil grown by her husband of 10 years, John Easterling.

“He makes me tinctures and they help with pain, they help with sleep, so I’m very lucky that I live in a state where it’s legal and that I have a husband that is a plant medicine man. How lucky is that?” she said, adding that she hoped the same laws would soon apply in Australia.

“There are other people out there doing much, much worse than me. And I’m very a privileged person and I’m very aware of that… I have nothing to really complain about.”

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