Kathy Bates was told to keep her cancer a 'secret'
She won an award earlier this year for her work in raising public awareness of cancer.
But actress Kathy Bates has just revealed she was told to keep her cancer a secret - for fear it would ruin her career!
“Back in 2003, when I had ovarian cancer, my agent told me not to tell anyone about it,” she told WebMD.
During a frank discussion with her gynaecologist, whose husband worked in the business, she was warned of the stigma that came with the disease in Hollywood.
“I was very careful,” the 69-year-old went on. “But then I saw Melissa Etheridge doing a concert and just wailing on her guitar with her bald head, and I thought, ‘Wow, I wanna be her!’”
When the American Horror Story star was diagnosed 10 years later with breast cancer, she knew this time she wanted to handle it differently.
After having a double mastectomy, she now proudly bears her “flats” and has become an advocate for cancer and lymphedema sufferers.
“I don’t have breasts — so why do I have to pretend like I do? That stuff isn’t important.”
Back in 2012 Kathy revealed her cancer diagnosis, telling People magazine at the time: "After much consideration, I underwent a double mastectomy".
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"Luckily, I don't have to undergo radiation or chemo. My family call me Kat because I always land on my feet and thankfully this is no exception," she added.
"My doctors have assured me I'm going to be around for a long time."
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