In an official statement, the 58-year-old shared the heartbreaking news with People.
“I have taken a leave from the play Fish in the Dark to deal with a personal health issue,” she revealed.
“Last week, with my husband by my side, and with the love and support of family and friends, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer after a diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma. I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery. Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion.”
Rita was encouraged to get a second opinion by a friend who’d suffered from breast cancer.
“A friend who had had breast cancer suggested I get a second opinion on my pathology and my gut told me that was the thing to do.”
The actress also took to her personal Facebook page to stress the importance of not only getting checked, but also getting a second opinion.
“Hi all. There is some news I want to share with you in hopes that if you or any woman you know is dealing with this that a second opinion is necessary and vital. Not just by another doctor but by another pathologist. I’m doing well and getting stronger every day” she explained on the social media site.
Upon hearing the news, stars rallied behind both Rita and Tom to show their support. Among them was cancer survivor, Christina Applegate, who sent out love to the star.
“Sweet beautiful powerful Rita!!! Loving you so much!” Christina tweeted.
Rita’s diagnosis comes on the heels of Taylor Swift revealing her mother; Andrea was recently diagnosed, expressing the importance of getting checked.
Angelina Jolie is huge advocate for pre-emptive measures. The actress revealed earlier this year that she had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed over fears of a hereditary form of cancer, following a double mastectomy two years ago.
The mother-of-six explained that experts believed these measures had reduced the odds that she’d die from the disease that killed her mother, grandmother and aunt.
Supportive Tweets from Hollywood.
Rita Wilson’s official statement:
“I have taken a leave from the play Fish in the Dark to deal with a personal health issue,” reveals Wilson, who will return to the Broadway play on May 5. “Last week, with my husband by my side, and with the love and support of family and friends, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer after a diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma. I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery. Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion.
“I have had an underlying condition of LCIS, (lobular carcinoma in situ) which has been vigilantly monitored through yearly mammograms and breast MRIs. Recently, after two surgical breast biopsies, PLCIS (pleomorphic carcinoma in situ) was discovered. I mention this because there is much unknown about PLCIS and it is often found alongside DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). I was relieved when the pathology showed no cancer.
“However, a friend who had had breast cancer suggested I get a second opinion on my pathology and my gut told me that was the thing to do. A different pathologist found invasive lobular carcinoma. His diagnosis of cancer was confirmed by, yet, another pathologist. I share this to educate others that a second opinion is critical to your health. You have nothing to lose if both opinions match up for the good, and everything to gain if something that was missed is found, which does happen. Early diagnosis is key.
“I feel blessed to have a loving, supportive husband, family, friends and doctors and that I am the beneficiary of advances in the field of breast cancer and reconstruction. I am getting better every day and look forward to renewed health.
“I hope this will encourage others to get a second opinion and to trust their instincts if something doesn’t ‘feel’ right.”
