Life

Kathy Griffin announces lung cancer diagnosis

Kathy Griffin and Whoopi Goldberg
Kathy Griffin and Whoopi Goldberg Photo: Shutterstock

Actor and comedian Kathy Griffin announced that she has lung cancer in message posted to social media.

“I’ve got to tell you guys something,” she wrote in a note posted across platforms. “I have cancer. I’m about to go into surgery to have half my left lung removed.”

Related: CEO caught harassing gay teen who wore dress to prom. Kathy Griffin helped him get “online famous.”

Griffin stressed that she has “never smoked.” Lung cancer among women is attributed to smoking in 70% of cases, one study found.

She said that her doctors are “very optimistic” because it was caught early and that she should make a recovery from the surgery in less than a month.

“Of course I am fully vaccinated for COVID,” she assured her fans. “The consequences for being unvaccinated would have been even more serious.”

In 2017, Griffin shaved her head to support her sister Joyce, who had cancer. Joyce died several months later, and Griffin’s brother Gary passed away due to cancer in 2014.

Fans sent her messages of support on social media.

Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

Cannabis dispensary blocked trans man from bathroom to keep him from “looking at men’s parts”

Previous article

Soccer player Quinn becomes first out trans athlete to win a medal at the Olympics

Next article