Shopaholic author Sophie Kinsella reveals aggressive brain cancer diagnosis
Best-selling British author Sophie Kinsella announced Wednesday that she has glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.
The 54-year-old author, whose real name is Madeleine Sophie Wickham, wrote in a statement posted to her social media accounts that she was diagnosed in 2022. She said she'd had surgery and is undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.
"I've wanted for a long time to share with you a health update and I've been waiting for the strength to do so," she wrote.
"At the end of 2022 I was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of aggressive brain cancer. I did not share this before because I wanted to make sure that my children were able to hear and process the news in privacy and adapt to our 'new normal.'"
She said that all is stable "at the moment."
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive malignant primary brain tumour, according to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.
It has "the lowest survival at all times post-diagnosis compared to other tumours," according to a report by the Brain Tumour Registry of Canada.
The Canadian Press previously reported that about 1,000 Canadians are diagnosed each year with a glioblastoma and only about four per cent of those patients survive five years or longer. The average period of survival following diagnosis is about 18 months.
"It can feel very lonely and scary to have a tough diagnosis, and the support and care of those around you means more than words can say," Kinsella wrote.
Outpouring of support
Kinsella has sold more than 45 million copies of her books in more than 60 countries. They have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her most recent book, The Burnout, was published last year.
But Kinsella is best known for her nine-book Shopaholic series. The first two in the series were adapted into the 2009 movie Confessions of a Shopaholic starring Isla Fisher.
After revealing her diagnosis, fans and friends flooded Kinsella's social media with messages of support.
"Sending you so much love and healing energy," Fisher commented on Kinsella's Instagram post Wednesday.
Author Jojo Moyes commented as well, writing "love you," and publisher Penguin Books wrote: "Sending so much love and strength, Sophie."
Kinsella poses for photographers as she arrives for the British premiere of the film Confessions of a Shopaholic at Leicester Square in London on Feb. 16, 2009. (Andrew Winning/Reuters)
