Olivia Newton-John ‘EVERYDAY IS A GIFT'

AUSTRALIA’S ORIGINAL SWEETHEART REVEALS DETAILS ABOUT HER CANCER BATTLE AND HER FIERCE DETERMINATION TO CELEBRATE LIFE

- Paul Ewart

From her portrayal of freshfaced good girl Sandy in Grease to her chart-topping music career – a career that has seen her become one of the bestselling recording artists of all time – Olivia Newton-John is one of the world’s most famous faces.

However, while the triple threat has enjoyed fame and fortune beyond her wildest dreams, with these highs there have also been earth-shattering lows.

After publicly battling breast cancer following a diagnosis 30 years ago – and undergoing debilitating chemo, and surgeries including a partial mastectomy and breast reconstruction – Newton-John made the decision to keep her second diagnosis to herself. However, in 2017 she went public with the heartbreaking news that her cancer had reappeared for a third time. Yet despite the blow, the BritishAustralian singer is remaining upbeat in the face of adversity and is determined to beat it a third time with a positive outlook and a healthy lifestyle.

“I focus on the positive side of things, no matter what the challenge,” NewtonJohn tells WHO of her cancer battle. “There are always challenges in life. Everybody has them. You just need to give yourself a moment, pick yourself up and head in the direction you want to finish in.”

Now living daily with the reality of stage four cancer, the pop icon has no interest in grim statistics or time limits. “They’ll quote statistics, which is what you do not want to focus on,” she says. “People need to be positive, give you positive feedback and not burst into tears. I think just being open to learning and growing through tough times is the way to evolve and become stronger – for yourself and others.