Rita Wilson has double mastectomy after cancer diagnosis

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Rita Wilson went public with some difficult news this week. The actress says she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

The 58-year-old made the announcement in an exclusive statement to People.

“Last week, with my husband by my side, and with the love and support of family and friends, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer after a diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma. I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery. Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion,” she told People. 

Wilson, who is married to actor Tom Hanks, told People she has had an underlying condition of LCIS, (lobular carcinoma in situ) which has been monitored through yearly mammograms and breast MRIs. She added that after two recent surgical breast biopsies, PLCIS (pleomorphic carcinoma in situ) was discovered, but the pathology report showed no cancer. Still, a friend suggested she get a second opinion, which she did.

She took to Facebook Tuesday morning, urging others to do the same:

According to BreastCancer.org, invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the second most common type of breast cancer after invasive ductal carcinoma (cancer that begins in the milk-carrying ducts and spreads beyond it).