Rita Wilson Blossoms After Bravely Fighting Breast Cancer
- Actress and singer Rita Wilson shares on Instagram this week about her new single with Josh Groban, “Songbird.”
- Wilson is a breast cancer survivor; she was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer in 2015. She had a mastectomy, followed by reconstructive surgery.
- Many people find solace in turning to art during the cancer journey; it can be a helpful distraction as well as an emotional outlet.
Wilson is a talented and prolific artist, and we love to see her continue to thrive after her cancer journey. Many people find that art can have a powerful, healing effect during and after the cancer journey.
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Wilson, who is married to Oscar winner Tom Hanks, 65, also shared the news of her single on Instagram recently, writing, “‘Songbird’ by Christine McVie has always been a song that has gone straight to my soul. The simplicity of the lyric and melody makes it so powerful. It's as if you're eavesdropping on the most intimate of conversations. “Songbird” with @joshgroban is OUT NOW and you can listen to it through my link in bio.”
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Hanks and Wilson were walking to their car while in NYC recenlty when Wilson, a breast cancer survivor, got knocked into by a man in a small crowd of aggressive fans and cameramen. Hanks reacted protectively but without violence, turned around and told the crowd to "back the f off," visibly offended and shook by the aggressors. "Knocking over my wife?" he said incredulously.
Luckily the singer-songwriter appeared to be okay and had just stumbled a little when knocked, but it is surely uncomfortablenot to mention scarywhen people get that much into your personal space and cause a physical threat, whether accidental or not.
One onlooker can be heard apologizing to Hanks as they get into their vehicle, with two security guards still in tow.
Rita Wilson's Breast Cancer Journey
Wilson was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She underwent a mastectomy, followed by reconstructive surgery, to treat her cancer. The actress and singer's specific diagnosis was invasive lobular carcinoma.
This type of breast cancer is named for its point of origin: the lobules. Invasive lobular carcinoma begins in the milk-producing glands, called lobules, of the breast. For this kind of cancer that's invasive, cancer cells have "broken out" of the lobule where they began and they may spread to other areas of the body.
Invasive lobular carcinoma only represents a small portion of breast cancers. The most common type of breast cancer starts in the breast ducts.
Treatment options for breast cancer include surgery (via a mastectomy or lumpectomy), chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Some people also get preventative mastectomies if there's a history of breast cancer in the family and thus an elevated risk of developing the disease.
When Should You Consider a Mastectomy?
Art Through A Cancer Battle
Many people turn to the arts as an emotional outlet during or after cancer. Wilson, as a singer and actress, is likely well versed in the transformative power of the arts. Whether you're a trained or professional artist or not, the arts can have a helpful effect during a cancer battle, or after cancer.
Some people who have lost loved ones to cancer, also find healing and solace in art. James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, 69, for example, has been vocal about using art to help heal from the grief of losing both his first wife and eldest daughter to ovarian cancer.
While going through cancer, try to find small moments of joy be it from writing, painting, singing, dancing, or playing with your dog. Having a positive outlook and an upbeat attitude can help the cancer battle.
How I Made It Through Cancer: Painting & Dreaming
SurvivorNet reporter Marissa Sullivan contributed to this article.
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