Actress Rita Wilson went through a lot lately and she decided to speak up so that she could help others. Wilson revealed on April 14th that she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has undergone a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. The actress decided to share the troubling news through a statement, which was published by People magazine, so she could urge everyone to seek a second opinion.
The 58-year-old actress explained that her first test for cancer came back negative, but that she was correctly diagnosed after seeking a second opinion. She wrote:
“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 share this to educate others that a second opinion is critical to your health,’ she said. 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. Not just by another doctor but by another pathologist,’ she added. ‘I’m doing well and getting stronger every day.”
She said that she had ‘vigilantly monitored’ her health with mammograms and MRIs because she knew she had an underlying condition of LCIS, (lobular carcinoma in situ).
Wilson recently underwent a breast biopsy, but no sign of cancer was discovered. Acting on the advice of a close friend, she sought the opinion of a second doctor and that’s when the cancer was discovered.
After seeking out the opinion of yet another pathologist, she was unmistakably sure of her diagnosis.
This troubling situation also explains why the actress temporarily left Fish In The Dark, a Broadway play, written by and starring Larry David. At the time, it was said that Wilson was expected to return to the stage on May 5th, and while she was on medical leave her role will be played by Glenne Headly.
Rita is married to Oscar-winner Tom Hanks. The couple got married in 1988 and they have two sons together – 24-year-old Chester Marlon and 19-year-old Truman Theodore. The actress is also a stepmother to two children from Hanks’ previous marriage, 37-year-old actor Colin Hanks and 32-year-old writer Elizabeth Hanks. Their mother, actress and producer Samantha Lewes, died from bone cancer in 2002, age 49.
