Magda Szubanski has announced she is undergoing treatment for stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.
In a heartfelt video posted to Instagram, the comedian and actor said the illness was discovered during a recent breast screening.
Szubanski, 64, said she had been feeling unwell for some time. “To be honest, I’ve been feeling pretty ratshit for a while,” she said. “So I asked for extra bloods and voilà.”
The diagnosis was confirmed after doctors noticed her lymph nodes were enlarged. She is now receiving the Nordic protocol, a chemotherapy regimen specifically used to treat this kind of lymphoma.
Stepping back
In her video, Szubanski explained that she would be stepping back from public life while her immune system is compromised.
She said she would be “lying very low” and urged fans not to approach her for hugs or physical contact if they see her in public. “Please don’t breathe anywhere near me,” she added with characteristic humour, asking for “enthusiastic waving from a safe distance” instead.
Despite the seriousness of the disease, Szubanski appeared calm, if understandably sobered. “I won’t sugar-coat it: it’s rough,” she said. “But I’m hopeful.”
Well supported
Szubanski credited her friends, family, and Melbourne-based medical team for their support. “I’m lucky to be getting absolutely world-class care here in Melbourne,” she said.
“Honestly, we have the best in the world here in Australia.”
She added that she felt “held” by her inner circle, describing their support as “loving” and “brilliant.”
She also acknowledged the continuous development of new cancer treatments as a reason for optimism. “New treatments keep coming down the pipeline all the time.”
A rare diagnosis
Mantle cell lymphoma is considered uncommon, and its late-stage detection adds complexity to treatment. Szubanski used her announcement as an opportunity to encourage proactive health checks.
“The takeaway is, get tested and listen to your body,” she said. Her own experience reinforces how routine screenings can sometimes uncover unrelated but serious conditions.
Industry response and public reaction
Since posting the video, Szubanski has received widespread support from colleagues across the entertainment and media sectors.
Figures including Rove McManus, Julia Zemiro, and Grace Tame shared public messages of love and solidarity.
For those in the media and production world, the announcement marks a pause in the public presence of one of Australia’s most recognisable entertainers.
With a screen and stage career spanning decades, Szubanski’s creative output has made her a household name, from her role as Sharon in Kath & Kim to the iconic Babe films and Ride Like a Girl. She has also become a respected voice in advocacy, particularly around LGBTQIA+ rights and mental health.
Szubanski’s 2014 memoir Reckoning charted her personal history, including her coming out and relationship with food and identity.
The memoir was well-received and positioned her as an honest and reflective commentator beyond her comic performances.
While she undergoes treatment, Szubanski has asked for privacy, light-heartedness, and no close contact. “I reserve my human right to be a cranky old moll,” she joked at the end of her Instagram video.