I Knew I Would Survive Breast Cancer

Olivia Newton-John relaxes on her remote Australian farm with her family, she has plenty of time to reflect on the most traumatic year of her life. Just over a year ago, the English-born singer was devastated by the news that she had breast cancer the latest in a series of blows to hit the star. Her father died from cancer last year, and two years ago her clothing empire Koala Blue went bankrupt, with considerable losses.

But Olivia, 44, is a determined fighter. And she's winning. When she was first told about the cancer she admits she thought of death but she always believed she'd survive. At that point, I confronted death with fear, but deep down, even though I knew something was wrong, knew that I'd be all right. I think I prayed to every possible spiritual thing I've ever come across. I'm not religious, but I would say I'm spiritual and I believe in a higher power. There've been a lot of ugly rumours that I've come to Australia for the last few months of my life, which isn't true I'm doing really well. I finished my treatment in February and I just want everyone to know I'm fine. I've got through my breast cancer.

Olivia and her husband Matt Lattanzi, who have a daughter Chloe, seven, are selling their home in California and plan to spend at least six months a year on their 250-acre avocado and custard-apple farm in exclusive Byron Bay, New South Wales, where their neighbours include Aussie star Paul Hogan.

It's a long way from those terrible months of living under the shadow of cancer. Just two months before Olivia's illness was diagnosed, Chloe's best friend Colette had tragically died from cancer. Colette's mum is also my best friend, says Olivia, so I supported them through Colette's illness for a year. She and her parents were very brave and we thought right up to the end that she'd survive, but sadly it was too late for her.

One of Olivia's treasured memories is a picture of Colette kissing her, with Chloe looking on, which Olivia used on one of her album covers. I was confronted with seeing a little girl die from cancer... And my father. So cancer was very real to me, she says. The fear was the worst thing, and I was afraid that I was going to die from the chemotherapy. But I knew I had to be there for Chloe and that I had to, and would, survive. She's the future and I want her to have me for as long as she can. Just to think of her by herself was horrible. That was really hard.

Olivia told Chloe she had to go into hospital to have something removed from her breast (she had a partial mastectomy). I had her brought into the hospital as soon as I was able to sit up, looking normal, without tubes coming out of me. I wanted Chloe to see you could go into hospital and still be okay and able to come out.

Says husband Matt: I think Chloe was perceptive enough not to ask too many questions about Livvy's illness. She knew there were times when Mummy didn't feel well and Dad had to do everything. After each chemotherapy treatment I'd keep Chloe to myself as much as possible for a few days and let Livvy have as much rest as she could. Olivia had the mildest chemotherapy available and was lucky enough not to lose her hair or feel very sick. She had no side-effects other than a bit of depression, says Matt. Livvy was so strong. She was the beacon for us in a storm of uncertainty. It reinforced my belief in her and in the love we have for each other.

Matt, 33, has recently returned to acting after five years running a construction company. He plays a photographer in the Australian TV series Paradise Beach. There was talk that Livvy might take a small part in the show, but I dismissed that as nonsense, says Matt. However, now it's a real possibility I think she'd really enjoy it. But at the moment she's resting and getting stronger by the day.

Meanwhile, Olivia, who's family emigrated to Australia when she was five years old, is enjoying life in her new home. In a way, I've never really had a country, she says. I was a Pommie in Australia and an Australian in America, so now I'm back in Australia maybe they'll accept me. Says Matt: I don't know how long we'll stay here we're taking one day at a time. The most important thing is Livvy's treatment is over and they've given her a clean bill of health.

Since her illness, Olivia has written a lot of new songs and plans to record a new album soon. One of the songs is along the lines of Don't say why me, say why not me, explains Matt. It's a beautiful song. I don't think she's ever written anything as good.

It's a long way from the awful months of worry. Even though the last year has been terrible, it's also been wonderful, says Olivia. I've learned so much about myself, the people I love and about what's important to me. If it hadn't been for the cancer, maybe I wouldn't have discovered those things because I'd never have had to.