Stars React To Rita Wilson's Cancer Announcement

Rita Wilson revealed on April 14 that she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has undergone a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery . Many stars have taken to Twitter to support the 58-year-old actress after she broke the news.

Wilson, who is married to Tom Hanks, revealed the news to People.com on Tuesday. She said that she feels "blessed" to have the love and support of her husband, friends, family and the doctors who saved her life. The actress had take a leave from her Broadway play "Fish in the Dark" earlier this month.

In her statement to People.com, she said that her first test for cancer came negative. Wilson then added that the cancer was correctly diagnosed after she got a second opinion.

"I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery. Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion." The "Sleepless in Seattle" actress told People.com. She added that "Early diagnosis is key."

This is not the first time a celebrity was diagnosed for cancer and took extreme measures. In 2013 Angelina Jolie told the New York Times that she had a double mastectomy because she had the breast cancer gene.

Jolie had told the New York Times that her chances of developing breast cancer had dropped from "from 87% to under 5%." The "Wanted" actress also added that she could tell her children that they would not loose their mother to breast cancer.

Like Jolie, Wilson has also been praised for her going public with her news. According to USAToday.com, Claudine Issacs, an oncology professor at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington, said that most women who receive positive news don't get a second opinion. The professor also adds that getting a second opinion is "not unreasonable."

A professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, Mitchell Gaynor also praised Wilson saying that it empowered patients watching a person "rationally" dealing with illness. The professor also added that this was a wonderful use of being a "popular media figure."

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