Beloved Australian comedian and actress Magda Szubanski has shared a heartbreaking admission about her cancer journey shortly after announcing she was in remission.
However, being in remission doesn’t mean Magda is in the clear. For more than a year, Magda has faced a brutal stage of stage four cancer, even describing it as living with the “Sword of Damocles over her head” in her interview with Tracy Grimshaw on 60 Minutes.
“The great news is I’m in deep remission from my cancer… It means that you’re not cured, but it’s at bay,” Magda shared, describing her situation as an “incurable relapse in cancer.”
“It’s almost sure that it will come back. It’s a question of ‘when’ and then ‘how bad.’ The median survival rate is eight-and-a-half years. So, I could go less, or I could go more.”
Magda’s remission announcement
In February, Magda shared the wonderful news that she was in remission.
“I have completed chemo, and I am now in remission, so phew,” she said in a video post on Instagram. “It’s not a cure…I could keep the cancer at bay for a good long time.”
She sent “eternal gratitude” to her fans, supporters and her medical team. She also reminded her fans and friends not to hug her (or anyone else who’s going through cancer treatment) as she’s still immunocompromised: “It could harm me…maybe kill.”
“Thank you! I’m alive! 🤔 I love you. DON’T believe anything unless you see it HERE on my instagram feed or from a reputable news source. Sending all my love and strength to anyone going through health challenges,” she captioned her video.
Watch her video update below:
“Oh Magda, this is such wonderful WONDERFUL news!!” commented author and journalist Lisa Wilkinson. “Your beautiful light is shining. Continued love and strength always. Xxxxxx”
“I am overwhelmed with happiness!” commented Terri Irwin. “Thank you for sharing your marvellous news. May we all remember to only listen to you for your updates and information. So much love coming your way!💕”
Actor Richard E. Grant, who starred opposite Magda in Kath & Kimderella, also sent some love hearts her way, as did Australian singer Tina Arena.
When did Magda Szubanski get diagnosed with cancer?
Magda first confirmed that she had a rare form of cancer on May 29, 2025. She shared a video on Instagram with a lengthy caption to provide insight into her health battle.
“I’ve been diagnosed with Stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma – a rare and fast-moving blood cancer,” Magda’s caption read.
“I won’t sugar-coat it: it’s rough. But I’m hopeful. I’m being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and I’ve never felt more held by the people around me,” it continued.
Magda also addressed her fans in the caption, asking them to respect her space now that she’s immunocompromised.
“I’ll be lying very low while my immune system takes a hammering, so if you see me out and about, don’t hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly.”
In the video, Magda is sporting a shaved head and says she got rid of her hair “in anticipation of it all falling out in a few weeks.”
Friends of Magda’s were quick to comment on her post.
Carrie Bickmore wrote, “Oh babe. F**k. You’ve got this! Yelling at you now from a distance that we all love you.”
Megan Gale said, “Sending an abundance of love, hugs and strength your way Magda.”
And Edwina Bartholomew commented, “Sending hugs virtually and all the love.”
Magda kept her fans updated throughout her cancer battle
On the last day of August 2025, Magda shared an update to fans from her hospital bed. But first, she thanked a lovely young girl, Annabella Willis for her impression of iconic Sharon Strzelecki from Aussie series, Kath & Kim.
“This is a special shout-out to 10-year-old Annabella in Adelaide. Thank you so much for your impression of Sharon Strzelecki. I’m in here having chemo and it really cheered me up,” she said in the video. “I’m very touched, that was a beautiful thing to do. Thank you my sweet.”
In the caption, Magda wrote: “Chemo smackin’ me around right now and you really cheered me up. Bless you my darlin.”
In August 2025, Magda was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, she couldn’t attend the event in person but she did share a heartwarming video.
“The love and support that I have felt, like a tsunami from the Australian public, it has been overwhelming and I have to tell you, it really helps,” a tearful Magda said.
“When I go online and look at those messages, every time, my heart lifts. And I feel that much stronger to deal with the cancer. So thank you for the love that you are pouring my way, I really feel it.”
“I love you all. I am sure I have forgotten who to thank. Chemotherapy brain is real! What can I say? Except I love you,” she concluded.
David Campbell shares update
Six months after Magda’s initial announcement, David Campbell and wife Lisa shared an update on her battle on Stellar’s Something To Talk About podcast.
“She’s talked about the fact that having that outpouring of emotion, and the support that she’s felt, has been instrumental in her getting through everything,” Lisa said. “I can’t speak for her own personal health, but she’s an incredible person, and we are so fortunate to have her in our lives.”
David added, “She laughs at us. She laughs at herself. And she made us laugh at the cancer with her. And they say laughter is the best medicine. It’s kind of true. It does make people feel better.”
Their love for Magda has been a huge support, but telling their children was a big decision for David. While hosting Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight, David revealed they wanted to be honest with their children.
“Betty’s nearly 11. I think that if she was much younger, it’d be much harder,” he said. “But what we just said was what Magda told everybody: She’s not well, but she is surrounded by the most incredible doctors, particularly in Melbourne.”
“Magda is really receiving everyone’s goodwill,” he added. “I think that’s the thing that’s been keeping her going. Certainly, she’s been getting it from our family, but also from the nation.”
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