Kathy Bates Gets Double Mastectomy After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

USMagazine, Wednesday, September 12, 2012, 4:00pm (PDT)

Kathy Bates announced to her fans Wednesday that she has been battling cancer for a second time.

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"It's no secret that I am an ovarian cancer survivor, nine years and counting. But few know that several weeks ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer," the 64-year-old actress tells Us Weekly in a statement Wednesday. "After much consideration I underwent a double mastectomy. Luckily, I don't have to undergo radiation or chemo. My Family call me Kat because I always land on my feet and thankfully this is no exception. My doctors have assured me I'm going to be around for a long time. I'm looking forward to getting back to work doing what I love to do."

Bates also tweeted a two-part announcement to her followers, writing, "Hey all, sorry for the long silence. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 months ago and am recovering from a double mastectomy."

"I don't miss my breasts as much as I miss Harry's Law," she joked. "Thanks for all the sweet tweets. Y'all kept me going."

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Bates was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003, but kept her illness a secret until 2009. In March, she opened up to Anderson Cooper on his show Anderson about why she kept her battle with cancer private. "I was advised to," the Harry's Law star explained. "I was contracted to go into a movie at that time, Little Black Book with Brittany Murphy, who I miss very much. My doctors at the time, they had to get insurance approval and all of that so I was very quiet about it and had to go back to work right away."

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"I admire people who have been open, like Melissa Etheridge and women I see walking around facing it without wigs and all of that stuff," Bates added. "I think I'd be more courageous next time."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Kathy Bates Gets Double Mastectomy After Breast Cancer Diagnosis