Oscar-winning movie star Jane Fonda has cancer.

Taking to Instagram, the 84-year-old icon wrote: “So my dear friends, I have something personal I want to share. I’ve been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and have started chemo treatments. This is a very treatable cancer where 80 per cent of people survive, so I feel lucky.

 “I’m also lucky because I have health insurance and access to the best doctors and treatments. I realise and its painful that I am privileged in this. Almost every family in America has had to deal with cancer at one time or another and far too many don’t have access to the quality healthcare I am receiving, and this is not right.”

Fonda is a prolific performer, putting in stellar performances in a host of different categories – comedy, drama, television, documentaries, fitness videos. She isn’t slowing down any time soon.

The mercurial Jane Fonda continued: “Cancer is a teacher and I’m paying attention to the lessons it holds for me.”

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes which are part of the body’s immune system.

In Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, the affected lymphocytes start to multiply in an abnormal way and begin to collect certain parts of the lymphatic system such as lymph nodes. The affected lymphocytes lose their infection-fighting properties, making one more vulnerable to infection.

The most common symptom of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin.

Over a third of cases are diagnosed in persons over 75.

Fonda has been undergoing chemo for six months and has been handling the treatments well.

She has starred in some major movies over the decades including Klute, On Golden Pond, Barbarella, Barefoot in the Park, Our Souls at Night, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, This is where I leave you.

 Get well soon, Jane.