Rita Wilson Shares Her Double Mastectomy Story

Fifty-eight year old actress Rita Wilson recently announced, after a diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma, that she underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction, with husband Tom Hanks by her side. She is expected to make a full recovery, which she attributes to an exceptional medical team and, a second opinion.

In an exclusive statement to People magazine, the actress went on to say that she has had an underlying condition of LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ), which was monitored through yearly mammograms and breast MRIs. She then found, after two breast biopsies, PLCIS (pleomorphic carcinoma in situ) but the pathology found no cancer.

Even with this diagnosis, Wilson sought a second opinion. Her gut told her to seek extra help, and in this case, it was right. The second pathologist found invasive lobular carcinoma. Again, she sought out for another opinion. Her third pathologist confirmed that there was cancer. Wilson took time off from her hit Broadway musical “Fish in the Dark” to take care of this pressing health issue.

Rita Wilson is now the third actress in the past few years to share her story of a double mastectomy and reconstruction, after Angelina Jolie and Giuliana Rancic. These women chose to reveal their experiences to help educate and comfort other women on their own medical journeys. They told the same story: an early diagnosis, seeking multiple opinions, and trusting your instincts are key to overcoming with strength and dignity, just like countless women have.