Australian actress Magda Szubanski has revealed she’s been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer.
Best known for her iconic role as Sharon Strzelecki in Kath & Kim, and for her memorable appearances in Babe and Happy Feet, Szubanski, 64, shared the news in a heartfelt video posted to social media.
The comedian revealed she has been diagnosed with stage four Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a “fast-moving” form of blood cancer, and is currently undergoing treatment in Melbourne.
Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that targets white blood cells known as lymphocytes.
The condition occurs when B-cells, a subtype of lymphocytes, become abnormal and start to accumulate in the lymph nodes and other areas of the body.
According to Cancer Research UK, 600 people are diagnosed with MCL in the UK each year. Of all people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the UK, approximately 5 in every 100 are diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma.
In the video, Szubanski, with her signature mix of humor and honesty, said: “I won't sugar-coat it: it's rough. But I'm hopeful.”
She went on to express gratitude for the “world-class care” she’s receiving and emphasised the strength she’s found in her support network.
Adding: “I'm being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and I've never felt more held by the people around me.”
Szubanski explained she is undergoing Nordic protocol treatment, which combines chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and that the cancer was discovered incidentally after she’d felt unwell for some time and asked for blood tests.
“So the takeaway is - get tested and listen to your body!” she urged.
In the caption of her post, she revealed that her cancer was only discovered when she went for a routine breast screening.
She shared: “This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up.T
“BH, I’ve been feeling pretty rats**t for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and - voila!So the take away is - get tested and listen to your body!”
Reassuring fans, she penned: “For now, just know I’m in good hands, good spirits—but I reserve my yuman right to be a cranky old moll.Love you all, Mags”.
Known for her quick wit and unapologetic charm, Szubanski became a household name playing the netball-loving Sharon in Kath & Kim in the early 2000s.
She’s also been a tireless advocate for same-sex marriage legalization in Australia.
