Magda Szubanski has shared a rare and deeply personal update on her cancer battle, months after revealing her diagnosis of stage-four Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive blood cancer.
The 64-year-old star, adored for her iconic roles in Kath & Kim and Babe, took to Instagram on Monday with a touching and funny video that showed her bald from treatment but still full of spark and spirit.
“Having the cancer is not all bad because, look,” Szubanski beamed, panning the camera to reveal 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.”
Donning a grey hoodie and trademark dry wit, she admitted the boredom was setting in. “Getting so bored now,” she quipped, though she was clearly delighted by the gift of a LEGO Land Rover, which she said would keep her occupied for a while.
“Tricky with chemo-induced numbness in fingertips,” she added in the caption, referencing a common side effect of cancer treatment known as peripheral neuropathy. “But I’ve planned ahead and ordered a building kit with pliers and finger protectors.”
The post quickly struck a chord online, amassing more than 113,000 views in just 15 hours. Famous friends including Kylie and Dannii Minogue, Lisa Wilkinson and Rove McManus were among the many to share their support.
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Szubanski first revealed her cancer diagnosis in May, calling it “serious” but assuring fans she was undergoing “one of the best treatments available” (the Nordic protocol) after the disease was discovered during a routine breast screen.
“This is an obscure cancer and was only diagnosed incidentally,” she said at the time. “To be honest, I’ve been feeling pretty ratshit for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and – voila!”
In that initial post, she also encouraged others to trust their instincts and get tested: “Listen to your body”.
Now, months into treatment, she says she’s “being lovingly cared for by friends and family” and is in “good hands, good spirits” – though she cheekily added: “I reserve my human right to be a cranky old moll.”
As she continues her brave and candid journey, Szubanski remains a beacon of humour, heart and strength — reminding fans that even in the darkest moments, laughter can still be part of the medicine.
Images: Instagram
