Jane Fonda discusses her diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Jane Fonda has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The 84-year-old actress shared the news on Instagram on September 2, sharing that she has begun chemotherapy.

"So, my dear friends, I have something personal to share with you. "I was diagnosed with non-lymphoma Hodgkin's and have begun treatment," Fonda explained. "It's a highly curable cancer, and 80% of people survive, so I consider myself really fortunate."

She went on to say that she is "fortunate" to have health insurance and "access to the greatest physicians and therapies." "I recognize, and this is difficult, that I am privileged in this sense," she said.

""Almost every family in America has dealt with cancer, and far too many do not have access to health care as well as I do, which is not right," she added, adding that more has to be spoken about cancer causes "so that we can remove them." People, for example, need to be aware that fossil fuels cause cancer. So do pesticides, many of which are derived from fossil fuels, such as mine."

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Fonda further shared that she will be undergoing six months of chemotherapy and is currently "handling the treatments quite well and, believe me, I am not going to let any of this interfere with my climate activism."

According to the Mayo Clinic, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer "that starts in the lymphatic system, a part of the body's immune system that fights germs. In non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, white blood cells called lymphocytes grow abnormally and can form growths (tumours) throughout the body."

Treatments and early detection of the diagnosis "have helped improve the prognosis for people with this disease," the website says.

In her lengthy post, Fonda explained that cancer has been a teacher for her and she "pays attention to the lessons it holds for me."

"One thing he has already shown me is the importance of community. How important it is to grow and deepen your community so you are not alone. And cancer and my age - I am almost 85 - definitely teach me the importance of adapting to new circumstances," she added.

The actor, who is well-known for her activism and support for women's rights and climate change, stated that her diagnosis will not prevent her from "doing everything I can, using every tool in my toolbox, which very much includes continuing to build this Fire Drill Fridays community and finding new ways to use our collective strength to make change."

"The midterms are coming, and they are beyond crucial, so you can rely on me to be right there with you as we increase our army of climate warriors," she wrote at the end of her statement.