Latest news with #MagdaSzubanski

Sky News AU
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'Not all bad': Aussie icon Magda Szubanski shares upbeat health update as she continues treatment for stage four blood cancer
Beloved Aussie comedian Magda Szubanski has returned to social media with a health update, just over a month since revealing she's battling stage four Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive blood cancer. The 64-year-old posted a lighthearted video to Instagram on Monday night, giving fans a glimpse into how she's coping with treatment. True to form, Magda managed to find humour in the tough situation, captioning the post: "The upside of The Cancer - it ain't all bad!!" "Thank you @lego and @thrivepr for my new Lego Land Rover classic Defender. This will keep me busy for a bit," she said. Dressed in a cosy grey hoodie, the Kath & Kim star beamed as she showed off her new LEGO set. "Having The Cancer is not all bad because, look… LEGO," she said in the clip, grinning. Magda then quipped that she's "such an 11-year-old boy trapped in a 64-year-old lesbian's body". "I don't know how that happened, it just is what it is," she said. While the comedian and writer admitted that fiddly LEGO builds can be a challenge thanks to "chemo-induced numbness" in her fingertips, she said she's "planned ahead by ordering a kit with pliers and finger protectors". "GOOD TIMES!!!" she joked. The Logie-winning actress even gave a sweet nod to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was known for her penchant for Land Rovers. "Now all I need is a Lego Queen Elizabeth II to pop in the driver's seat," she said. Magda's update was quickly met with a flood of supportive messages from fans and fellow celebrities alike. "God bless you and your beautiful outlook on life and Lego… sending positive vibes," Married At First Sight alum Dave Hand wrote, while Big Brother winner Reggie Bird added: "Oh looking forward to the end result." MasterChef favourite Julie Goodwin left a simple but heartfelt purple heart emoji. "The one thing chemo hasn't taken away from you is your spirit & your sense of humour Magda. You rock, you've got this x Hang in there, Lego is great!" one fan commented. Another wrote: "Love you Magda. (Love Lego too!) Keep up the good work. We are all here cheering you on from the sidelines." One admirer even suggested LEGO make a Sharon Strzelecki figurine - Magda's iconic Kath & Kim character – to "pop in the driver's seat". Magda first revealed her diagnosis on 29 May, sharing that the aggressive cancer was only discovered by chance during a routine breast screening, which detected swollen lymph nodes. "TBH, I've been feeling pretty rats*** for ages," she said at the time. "So I asked for extra bloods and - voila!" While she admitted the diagnosis is "very rare, very aggressive, and very serious", she said she was already undergoing treatment in her hometown of Melbourne and remained hopeful. "I won't sugar-coat it: it's rough. But I'm hopeful," she told fans. "I'm being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and I've never felt more held by the people around me." She urged others to be proactive about their health, saying: "Get tested and listen to your body!" Just days later, on June 1, she returned to Instagram to thank fans for their outpouring of support. "It's been so moving, and really, youse are the wind beneath my wings," she wrote, her trademark humour shining through. "Thank you very much, love youse all."

News.com.au
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Update after Aussie icon Magda Szubanski revealed cancer battle
Beloved Aussie actor and comedian Magda Szubanski has given fans a rare update after revealing her heartbreaking cancer battle earlier this year. The 64-year-old confirmed the shocking diagnosis of stage-four Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare and fast-moving blood cancer, in a social media post on May 29. Szubanski described the cancer diagnosis as 'serious' and confirmed she had begun the 'the Nordic protocol' … 'one of the best treatments available' for the disease that was randomly picked up during a breast screening. In a clip posted to Instagram on Monday, the Kath and Kim alum could be seen wearing a grey hoodie and her head now fully bald from ongoing treatment. 'Having the cancer is not all bad because, look,' she smiled as she panned over to a gifted Lego set. 'I am such an 11-year-old boy trapped in a 64-year-old lesbian's body. I don't know how that happened, it just is what it is,' she continued. 'Getting so bored now,' she concluded. In the caption the comedian added the gift - a model Land Rover vehicle - will keep her busy for a bit. 'Tricky with chemo induced numbness in fingertips but … I've planned ahead and ordered a building kit with pliers and finger protectors,' she said. The video has received over 92,000 likes in just 15 hours, including from fellow stars Kylie and Dannii Minogue, Lisa Wilkinson and Rove McManus. In her clip earlier this year she assured fans she was being 'lovingly cared for by friends and family'. 'My medical team is brilliant and I've never felt more held by the people around me,' she said. 'I'll be lying very low while my immune system takes a hammering. 'This is an obscure cancer and was only diagnosed incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up. 'To be honest, I've been feeling pretty ratshit for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and – voila! 'So the take away is – get tested and listen to your body! 'For now, just know I'm in good hands, good spirits – but I reserve my human right to be a cranky old moll,' she said. According to the Cancer Council, numbness in hands or feet is a common side effect of some types of chemotherapy drugs. The sensation is called peripheral neuropathy and may last a few months after treatment finishes or permanently.


Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Magda Szubanski is seen for the first time in weeks as she undergoes chemo for her stage four cancer - and reveals the unique way she is getting through treatment
Magda Szubanski has provided fans with a heartfelt and surprisingly upbeat update as she battles stage four cancer. The beloved Kath and Kim star, 64, took to social media on Monday night with a clip revealing her shaved head - a result of chemotherapy as she battles Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive blood cancer. Despite the gruelling treatment, the Aussie comedy icon appeared in good spirits as she proudly showed off how she was keeping herself entertained: by building a Lego set. 'Having cancer is not all bad because look... Lego Land Rover! I am such an 11-year-old boy trapped in a 64-year-old lesbian's body,' Magda quipped. Magda, who announced her diagnosis in May, said she has turned to Lego therapy to help her through the toughest battle of her life. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'The upside of cancer - it ain't all bad!! thank you Lego for my new Lego Land Rover classic Defender,' she wrote. 'This will keep me busy for a bit. Tricky with chemo induced numbness in fingertips but… I've planned ahead and ordered a building kit with pliers and finger protectors!! GOOD TIMES!!! Now all I need is a Lego Queen Elizabeth II to pop in the driver's seat.' Her post struck a chord with fans, with a slew of celebrity friends flooding the comments with messages of love and support. 'Love this! Love you,' wrote The Bachelor star Alex Nation. 'God bless you and your beautiful outlook on life and Lego. sending positive vibes,' Married At First Sight's Dave Hand chipped in and celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge shared an applause emoji. In May, Magda announced on social media she was battling Mantle Cell Lymphoma. She appeared on camera with a shaved head after beginning her treatment to fight the disease. 'Hello my lovelies. So, the head is shaved in anticipation of it all falling out in a couple of weeks because I have just been diagnosed with a very rare, very aggressive, very serious lymphoma,' she began. 'It is one of the nasty ones, unfortunately. But the good thing is I'm surrounded by beautiful friends and family and an incredible medical support team. 'Honestly, we have the best in the world here in Australia, particularly in Melbourne, so I feel very fortunate. 'It's pretty confronting. It is a full on. But new treatments keep coming down the pipeline all the time.' Magda said she has started a treatment called the Nordic protocol, which treats Mantle Cell Lymphoma by shrinking the tumours with a combination of drugs administered in five phases. It's known as the Nordic regimen based upon its clinical trial sites in Denmark and Norway. The actress explained she will be 'lying very low' due to her weak immune system. 'I won't sugar-coat it: it's rough. But I'm hopeful. I'm being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant and I've never felt more held by the people around me,' she said. 'Please keep a distance though because I will be very immunocompromised. So I can't hug no more. Don't hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly.' She said the cancer was discovered during a routine breast screening. 'This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up,' she explained. 'TBH, I've been feeling pretty rats**t for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and - voila! So the take away is - get tested and listen to your body! For now, just know I'm in good hands, good spirits.' What is mantle cell lymphoma? Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that causes white blood cells to grow and multiply uncontrollably. The average age at diagnosis is 60 to 65 years and is two to three times more common in men than women. The initial symptom of MCL is usually a painless swelling in the neck, armpit, and/or groin. It is usually treated with combination chemotherapy, but other therapies include radioimmunotherapy, radiotherapy and stem cell transplants. It is aggressive and often comes back after patients go into remission.


West Australian
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Magda Szubanski: Kath and Kim legend receives absurd gift that makes cancer seem ‘not all bad'
An Aussie legend has been given a crafty gift to help get through her difficult ongoing chemo treatment. Magda Szubanski, a beloved Aussie actor and comedy legend, has received a gift from Lego to assist her as she continues to battle cancer. The Kath and Kim breakout star was gifted the Lego Land Rover Defender set, which she said would 'keep (her) busy for a bit.' 'The upside of the cancer - it ain't all bad,' Szubanski wrote on Instagram. She expressed her excitement in an Instagram reel, and said, 'I am such am 11-year-old boy trapped in a 64-year-old lesbian's body.' The star jokingly added that she 'did think it was going to be a real land rover, but this will do.' Szubanski said it would be tricky to complete the Lego set because she is experiencing 'chemo induced numbness in fingertips.' 'I've planned ahead and ordered a building kit with pliers and finger protectors. Good times! Now all I need is a Lego Queen Elizabeth II to pop in the driver's seat,' she wrote. In late May, Szubanski shared with her 296,000 Instagram followers that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma, an rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. 'I won't sugar-coat it: it's rough. But I'm hopeful. I'm being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and I've never felt more held by the people around me.' Szubanski confirmed that she has started one of the best treatments available and will be receiving world-class care in Melbourne. 'I'll be lying very low while my immune system takes a hammering, so if you see me out and about—don't hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly,' she continued. 'This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up. TBH, I've been feeling pretty ratshit for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and - voila! 'For now, just know I'm in good hands, good spirits—but I reserve my yuman right to be a cranky old moll. Love you all, Mags.' The comedy legend appeared on Fast Forward before her breakout role as the netball-loving Sharon Strezlecki in the iconic TV series Kath & Kim. Szubanski appeared in Babe as Esme Hoggett in 1995, before reprising her role in the sequel Babe: Pig in the City in 1998. She also dabbled in animation, voicing Miss Viola in the popular cartoons Happy Feet and Happy Feet Two.


Perth Now
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Magda Szubanski receives absurd gift to help with chemo
An Aussie legend has been given a crafty gift to help get through her difficult ongoing chemo treatment. Magda Szubanski, a beloved Aussie actor and comedy legend, has received a gift from Lego to assist her as she continues to battle cancer. The Kath and Kim breakout star was gifted the Lego Land Rover Defender set, which she said would 'keep (her) busy for a bit.' 'The upside of the cancer - it ain't all bad,' Szubanski wrote on Instagram. She expressed her excitement in an Instagram reel, and said, 'I am such am 11-year-old boy trapped in a 64-year-old lesbian's body.' The star jokingly added that she 'did think it was going to be a real land rover, but this will do.' Szubanski said it would be tricky to complete the Lego set because she is experiencing 'chemo induced numbness in fingertips.' 'I've planned ahead and ordered a building kit with pliers and finger protectors. Good times! Now all I need is a Lego Queen Elizabeth II to pop in the driver's seat,' she wrote. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. In late May, Szubanski shared with her 296,000 Instagram followers that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma, an rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. 'I won't sugar-coat it: it's rough. But I'm hopeful. I'm being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and I've never felt more held by the people around me.' Szubanski confirmed that she has started one of the best treatments available and will be receiving world-class care in Melbourne. 'I'll be lying very low while my immune system takes a hammering, so if you see me out and about—don't hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly,' she continued. 'This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up. TBH, I've been feeling pretty ratshit for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and - voila! If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. 'For now, just know I'm in good hands, good spirits—but I reserve my yuman right to be a cranky old moll. Love you all, Mags.' The comedy legend appeared on Fast Forward before her breakout role as the netball-loving Sharon Strezlecki in the iconic TV series Kath & Kim. Szubanski appeared in Babe as Esme Hoggett in 1995, before reprising her role in the sequel Babe: Pig in the City in 1998. She also dabbled in animation, voicing Miss Viola in the popular cartoons Happy Feet and Happy Feet Two.