Article

Kathy Griffin Diagnosed With Lung Cancer

Author(s):

The 60-year-old comedian is optimistic about her prognosis.

Photographer:

Michael Tullberg



Collection:

Getty Images Entertainment

Photographer:

Michael Tullberg

Collection:

Getty Images Entertainment

Comedian Kathy Griffin announced this morning that she was diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer.

“I’m about to go into surgery to have half of my left lung removed. Yes, I have lung cancer even though I never smoked!” Griffin tweeted.

The Emmy Award winner also advocated for staying up to date on COVID-19 precautions and medical screenings.

“Of course, I am fully vaccinated for COVID,” Griffin added in her statement on Twitter. “The consequences for being unvaccinated would have been even more serious. Please stay up to date on your medical checkups. It’ll save your life.”

Griffin, 60, and her family are no strangers to cancer. In July of 2017, Griffin shaved her head in solidarity with her sister Joyce who had cancer and was going through chemotherapy treatment. That September, Joyce died, and Kathy shared the news on social media, asking for donations to the American Cancer Society.

However, Griffin has a positive outlook on her diagnosis.

“The doctors are very optimistic, as it is stage 1 and contained in my left lung. Hopefully no chemo or radiation after this, and I shall have normal function with my breathing,” she said.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.

Related Videos
Image of a man in a suit.
Image of man with black hair.
Image of man with gray hair.
Image of Dr. Minesh Mehta at ASCO 2024.