Longtime actress Jane Fonda announced on Friday that she had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, while suggesting that pesticides and fossil fuels may have played a role in the cancer developing.
Fonda, 84, said that she had begun a six-month course of chemotherapy treatments and would not allow her illness to interfere with her involvement in climate change activism. The two-time Academy Award winner has arguably been known for her dedication to political and environmental activism as much as acting since at least the late 1960s.
"So, my dear friends, I have something personal I want to share," Fonda wrote on Instagram. "I've been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and have started chemo treatments. This is a very treatable cancer. 80% of people survive, so I feel very lucky."
Fonda said she also felt fortunate due to having "health insurance and access to the best doctors and treatments," while adding that it was "painful" to realize she was "privileged in this."
"Almost every family in America has had to deal with cancer at one time or another and far too many don't have access to the quality health care I am receiving and this is not right," she said.
The Grace and Frankie star then said that there had been too much discourse around cancer cures rather than causes, arguing that causes should be discussed more "so we can eliminate them."
"For example, people need to know that fossil fuels cause cancer," said Fonda. "So do pesticides, many of which are fossil fuel-based, like mine."
It was not clear what Fonda meant when when referring to some pesticides as "mine." Some studies have linked certain pesticides to cancer, particularly for those exposed to the chemicals through occupations like farming, although evidence has not conclusively shown that they are a major cause of the illness.
A 2021 review of epidemiology studies on a link between pesticides and cancers between 2010 and 2020—including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma—found that there "was neither strong nor consistent epidemiologic data supportive of a positive association between pesticide exposure in occupational settings and cancer."
The small amounts of pesticides that may be present on food like store-bought produce are generally not thought to present a significant risk of developing cancer, although produce should be washed before being consumed to reduce any risk that may exist.
There is a clear link between cancer and pollution caused by fossil fuels, along with other illnesses. A Harvard University study released in 2021 found that over 8 million people around the world died due to fossil fuel pollution in 2018 alone, from illnesses that included cancer, strokes, heart disease and respiratory infections.
Regardless of what may have specifically caused Fonda's cancer, the actress said that she would continue her treatment and "not let any of this interfere with [her] climate activism." She also urged voters to support candidates dedicated to combatting climate change in this year's midterm elections.
"The midterms are looming, and they are beyond consequential so you can count on me to be right there together with you as we grow our army of climate champions," Fonda wrote.
Newsweek reached out to Fonda's representative for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Aila Slisco is a Newsweek night reporter based in New York. Her focus is on reporting national politics, where she ... Read more
