Rita Wilson, the actress and husband of Tom Hanks, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and she has undergone a double mastectomy, she revealed exclusively to People.
"I have taken a leave from the play Fish in the Dark to deal with a personal health issue," reads a portion of her statement to the magazine. "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."
Wilson, 58, went on to explain that she has an underlying condition called LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ), which "has been vigilantly monitored through yearly mammograms and breast MRIs." After two recent surgical breast biopsies, PLCIS (plemorphic carcinoma in situ) was found, she said, adding that, "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," Wilson continued. "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."
Nothing that she feels "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," the actress shared, "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," she concluded.
Wilson has acted in movies including "The Bonfire of the Vanities," "Sleepless in Seattle," "Runaway Bride" and "It's Complicated" and in TV shows including "Frasier," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "The Good Wife," "Body of Proof" and "Girls."
On April 2, a spokesman for Larry David's Broadway show "Fish In The Dark" said that Wilson would be "taking a brief medical leave, and [is] planning on returning to the play at the Cort Theatre May 5," reported Playbill.
Wilson and Hanks married in 1988, and they have two sons, Chester and Truman. She also has two stepchildren from Hanks' previous marriage, Colin and Elizabeth.
