Unfortunately, cancer can touch anyone’s life. It doesn’t matter whether you’re famous, wealthy, young or old — cancer can affect anyone, regardless of who you are or where you come from.
Beloved Australian actress Magda Szubanski has now opened up about her ongoing battle with cancer, offering a deeply personal update on what life has been like since her diagnosis.
The 65-year-old Kath & Kim star, who has been ranked as Australia’s most recognized and most well-liked television personality, was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer, in May 2025.
Since then, she has shared glimpses of her journey with fans, including photos and videos from the hospital as she underwent intensive treatment.
Earlier this year, Szubanski announced that she was in remission. But in her first major public interview since revealing her diagnosis, she has now spoken candidly about what comes next — and the reality of living with an incurable relapse.
Appearing on 60 Minutes, Szubanski described her current situation in remarkably honest terms.
“So, it’s almost sure that it will come back. It’s a question of ‘when’ and then ‘how bad?’”, she told host Tracy Grimshaw.
She explained that the median survival rate is currently around eight and a half years, although individual outcomes can vary.
“The median survival rate is eight-and-a-half years. So, I could go less, or I could go more.”
Despite the uncertainty, Szubanski maintained her characteristic sense of humor, joking that she was hoping to beat the odds.
Looking back, the actress said she had a strong feeling that something was wrong before doctors diagnosed her. She described experiencing an intense sensation that felt as though her bones were “splitting,” which was eventually linked to inflammation in her bone marrow.
Her fears became so intense that they even entered her dreams.
“It would wake me up in the middle of the night, literally wake up with my sort of dream voice saying ‘you’re dying, you’re dying’.”
“So, it was like, dude, there’s something wrong here. You know, there’s something really wrong.”
Even while going through treatment, Szubanski continued working. At one point, she had to film an advertisement for Australian health insurer Medibank, describing the experience as “a bizarre, bizarre experience.”
“It was … a bizarre, bizarre experience.”
“It was freaking hard, but when I say it was doable, it was,” she said.
During the interview, Szubanski also spoke candidly about her family’s history with serious health issues.
She revealed that her father was diagnosed with cancer when she was just six years old, while her mother later battled pancreatic cancer. Her sister has also been diagnosed with lymphoma.
Reflecting on how cancer has affected several members of her family, Szubanski added a touch of dark humor, joking that her brother was the “f**king odd one out” after suffering a heart attack and undergoing a quintuple bypass.
We’re wishing Magda Szubanski all the very best as she continues her journey, and hoping she has many more happy and healthy years ahead. ❤️