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Delta Goodrem reflects on her cancer battle 20 years on

“I was still only a teenager.”
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Australian singer and actress Delta Goodrem has had a stellar career in the entertainment industry, first rising to stardom at just 15 years old.

But her journey has been far from easy, with the now-39-year-old being diagnosed with cancer at just 18 years of age. 20 years on, Delta has reflected on her journey.

Delta was diagnosed with cancer in 2003 at age 18. (Image: Getty)

Delta Goodrem was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in July 2003, less than four months after debut album Innocent Eyes was released.

What should have been some of the best months of her life – as Innocent Eyes broke countless Australian music records – behind the scenes Delta was dealing with the toughest battle of her life.

In an interview with 9honey Celebrity, the 39-year-old opened up on the effect her cancer diagnosis had not only on her physical health, but her mental health too. As a public figure, Delta felt pressure to look beautiful.

And while she was able to recover from the disease after receiving treatment including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, she did also experience side effects such as hair loss.

“[Losing my hair] was a hard one for me as I was still only a teenager, I barely ever wore makeup back then. But when you lose your hair, including your eyebrows and lashes, your skin is pale and you have braces – you want to feel pretty and you start to get creative,” she shared.

The singer has reflected on her cancer battle 20 years on. (Image: Getty)

Delta’s experience overcoming cancer, and her subsequent passion for beauty and wellness, led her to partner with makeup company Revlon and its charity foundation Look Good Feel Better.

The charity is a national cancer support program and a cause close to the singer’s heart.

Delta told 9honey Celebrity that she wished she would have had access to a similar program when she was going through cancer herself.

“It would have been a wonderful help back then, I’m sure. The side effects of treatment and the changes in your body during that time are things that can’t be easily explained or understood. It’s a beautiful initiative to support people by teaching them how to manage all those different aspects to feel the best they can during that time.

“I have been extremely passionate about finding ways to give back since day one and so finding organisations like them makes my heart happy and I’m thrilled to see that those in the fight can find the support they need and deserve,” she told the publication.

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Since recovering from cancer, Delta has continued to pursue a career in the entertainment industry and has seen immense success both in Australia and internationally.

The 39-year-old has released eight studio albums, embarked on multiple global tours, and starred in numerous television shows and movies.

She first appeared on iconic Australian soap Neighbours, and most recently starred in the lead role of Love is in the Air on Netflix.

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