Magda Szubanski shares positive update following her battle with rare cancer

The 64-year-old first announced in May last year that she had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.

Australian comedy icon Magda Szubanski has shared uplifting news following her battle with a rare cancer.

In a heartfelt message, Szubanski revealed she has completed chemotherapy and is now in remission.

“Hello, wonderful, beautiful people. First of all, happy, happy Mardi Gras. I am so gutted that I can’t be there,” she began in a video posted to Instagram.

“I’m afraid it’s unavoidable, but have a wonderful time and big love to you all.

“And secondly, I wanted to share the fantastic news, which is that I’ve completed chemo and I am now in remission.

“So, phew, big relief.”

Szubanski, 64, first announced in May last year that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.

At the time, the Kath & Kim star also revealed she had shaved her head in preparation for chemotherapy.

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Since then, the actress has been candid about her health journey, balancing brutal honesty with her trademark humour.

In her latest post shared on Friday, Szubanski urged fans not to believe rumours about her condition.

“I’m alive! I love you. DON’T believe anything unless you see it HERE on my Instagram feed or from a reputable news source,” Szubanski captioned the video.

“Sending all my love and strength to anyone going through health challenges.”

In the clip, she described remission as a major milestone, while also acknowledging her recovery isn’t over.

“It’s not a cure, but because I got a good remission, that hopefully means that I’ll have, you know, keep the cancer at bay for a good long time,” she said.

“I also wanted to say a special, huge thank you to all of you for the love and support.

“It was just like a tsunami coming at me and honestly I swear to god, it helped me not only emotionally, I think it really helped me physically too.

“I felt so loved up and cared for, so eternal gratitude.

“Thank you so much for that.”

The Logie Hall of Fame recipient paid tribute to her medical team and the Australian healthcare system, calling them “beautiful people”.

“What else do I need to tell you … Seems I’m not dead,” she added in her signature jokey style.

“Better check with social media, because that knows more about me than I do.”

She also shared that she has “got some hair back” since finishing treatment.

“Turns out I’m not a natural blonde,” Szubanski joked, pointing to her hair.

“Although it does look like it did previously belong to Napoleon. But you know, I’m fine with that.”

She ended the video by once again thanking supporters and sending her love, while also explaining she remains immunocompromised after chemotherapy.

“We’re not being precious, I would love to hug you,” she said.

“But I can’t, because what’s a sniffle for you, could harm me, maybe kill me.”

When the Australian star first shared the news in May, she posted a photo of her shaved head, explaining it was in anticipation of losing her hair due to chemotherapy.

“This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up,” she wrote at the time.

“TBH (to be honest), I’ve been feeling pretty rats**t for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and — voila!

“So the takeaway is — get tested and listen to your body!”

“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.”