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Rita Wilson Diagnosed With Breast Cancer, Gets Double Mastectomy

Rita Wilson
Rita Wilson has breast cancer and got a double mastectomy.

Fighting through it. Rita Wilson revealed on Tuesday, April 14, that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. 

The Girls actress, 58, recently underwent a double mastectomy to treat the disease and got reconstructive surgery as a result. She is taking some time off from her onstage role in Larry David's Fish in the Dark to recover, but will return to the Broadway show on May 5.

Related: PHOTOS: Stars Who Battled Breast Cancer

"Last week, with my husband [Tom Hanks] 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," Wilson said in a statement to Us Weekly. "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," she continued. "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," added the recovering star. "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."

Thankfully, the Good Wife alum did catch her cancer early and is getting better as her famous husband of nearly 27 years, Hanks, stands by her. 

The Oscar-winning actor, 58, has yet to comment on his wife's health troubles, but he was honored by his love on Twitter last week. In the days surrounding her surgery, Wilson tweeted a vintage photo with Hanks from their 1985 movie Volunteers, and wrote, ".@tomhanks I'm as in love with you today as I ever have been. More. #tbt." In the years since the movie, the two stars have appeared in multiple other flicks together including Sleepless in Seattle and That Thing You Do, and welcomed sons Chet, 24, and Truman, 19. 

Related: PHOTOS: Stars Who Beat Cancer

Wilson, who also recently retweeted a message reading, "Hard times reveals true friends," added in her statement to Us just how lucky she feels to have loved ones supporting her during this tough time.

"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," she said. "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." 

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