Actress Jane Fonda gave fans an update Tuesday on her health after revealing recently that she had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and started chemotherapy.
The 84-year-old activist took to her blog to thank fans for all their love and support since she revealed her cancer diagnosis. She repeated what she said in her announcement on September 2, saying that it’s “a very treatable cancer” and that much progress has been made to fight it successfully.
“Since last week, so many people have written to me or posted that they have had this type of cancer and have been cancer-free for many decades,” Fonda wrote. “Well, I’ll soon be 85 so I won’t have to worry about ‘many decades.’ One will do just fine.”
“Many have asked how I am feeling,” she added. “Well today, about 3 weeks from my first chemo session, I must tell you that I feel stronger than I have in years. The doctor told me the best antidote to the tiredness that chemotherapy can cause is to move. Walk. And I have been walking. Very early before the record heat kicks in. Also working out.”
“As I said in my statement last week, I am painfully aware that the top-drawer treatment I receive is not something everyone in this country can count on and I consider that a travesty,” Fonda continued. “It isn’t fair, and I will continue to fight for quality health care for all.”
The Academy Award-winning actress then turned her update into a discussion about her climate change activism and the need to rid the world of fossil fuels, as she claimed once again that her cancer fight won’t deter her.
“This diagnosis has only made me more determined than ever to continue to end the deadly effects of fossil fuels,” the “On Golden Pond” star wrote. “While most of us know that fossil fuels are the primary cause of the climate crisis, many may not know that fossil fuel emissions also cause cancer as well as other major health problems like birth defects, childhood leukemia, heart attacks, strokes, lung disease and preterm birth.”
She closed out her piece by explaining that “we must find a way to come together to put an end to this deadly correlation,” and that we all have it “within our power to change this.”
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In her original post revealing her cancer diagnosis, Fonda explained that she’s planning to do chemo for six months and has been handling the treatments quite well.
“So, my dear friends, I have something personal I want to share,” the actress wrote. “I’ve been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and have started chemo treatments. This is a very treatable cancer. 80% of people survive, so I feel very lucky.”
In her post on Instagram, she also declared that it won’t stop her climate activism ahead of the midterms.
“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,” the actress explained.