Actress Olivia Williams Opens Up About Her Battle with Pancreatic Cancer
Renowned actress Olivia Williams has spoken candidly about her ongoing battle with pancreatic cancer, a disease she has been fighting for several years. In an exclusive interview with The Times, Williams shared her harrowing experience of being misdiagnosed multiple times, undergoing numerous surgeries, and dealing with the emotional toll of living with cancer.
According to The Times, Williams first met with the publication six years ago, when she discussed her preceding five years of frightening ill health, misdiagnoses, and rapid weight loss. At the time, she had just been diagnosed with a VIPoma, a rare cancerous tumour in her pancreas. The diagnosis came after years of visiting doctors, who initially thought she had lupus, was perimenopausal, or had irritable bowel syndrome.
"It took several grisly procedures to remove it — along with a chunk of her pancreas, spleen, gallbladder and liver," The Times quoted Williams as saying. "The VIPoma was obliterated but, because it was discovered so late, it had metastasised to her liver. Which, as anyone involved in the cancer life knows, is the worst news."
Williams has been taking drugs to control the cells’ growth and has regular scans. She described the experience of receiving bad news from doctors, saying: "I go in like a puppy with this optimistic, bright face and then they give me bad news and it’s like, oh my God, I fell for it again." The Times reported that Williams has undergone four treatments with Lutathera, a targeted internal radiotherapy, over the past two years.
As The Times noted, Williams is now supporting Pancreatic Cancer UK, the charity of the year for the TCS London Marathon. She is urging people to donate to the cause, highlighting the need for early detection and a cheap, simple test for the disease. Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to diagnose, and one in four patients die within a month of diagnosis.
"The average time from diagnosis to death is three months — and that figure has not improved in 50 years," Williams stated, as reported by The Times. "It takes an average person with my cancer [a VIPoma cancer within the pancreas] 11 visits to the GP to be diagnosed. For me, it was probably about 21 times."
Williams’s experience with cancer has had a profound impact on her life and career. Despite her health struggles, she has continued to work, starring in projects such as The Crown and Dune: Prophecy. Her determination and resilience in the face of adversity are an inspiration to many.
As The Times reported, Williams has refused to make significant changes to her lifestyle, but has cut down on sugar and reduced her alcohol intake. She cycles around London without a helmet and practises hot yoga whenever possible.
In her interview with The Times, Williams also shared her thoughts on her experience playing Camilla Parker Bowles in The Crown. She discussed the challenges of portraying a complex and often misunderstood figure, and the importance of humour in the couple’s relationship.
Williams’s story is a testament to her strength and courage in the face of adversity. Her advocacy for pancreatic cancer awareness and her efforts to raise funds for research are making a difference. As The Times concluded, Williams’s message is clear: she is living in a state of denial, but she is determined to make the most of the time she has.
For more information on Pancreatic Cancer UK and to donate, visit pancreaticcancer.org.uk.
