Actress Olivia Williams Shares Battle with Rare Cancer, Advocates for Early Detection

London, England — Actress Olivia Williams is on a mission to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer following her harrowing battle with a rare form known as VIPoma. At 56, Williams has faced numerous health challenges, including the diagnosis of a cancerous tumor in her pancreas that metastasized to her liver. Her story highlights the urgent need for early detection of this deadly disease.

Williams has detailed her cancer journey, which began with years of misdiagnoses, weight loss, and debilitating symptoms. It wasn’t until a doctor in Los Angeles ordered a CT scan that a 7 cm tumor was identified. ‘If someone had diagnosed me in the four years I’d been saying I was ill, I could describe myself as cancer-free,’ she said, reflecting on her frustration. This journey culminated in extensive surgeries and ongoing treatment to manage her condition.

Despite her struggles, Williams maintains a positive outlook. She describes her treatments, which include Lutathera, a targeted internal radiotherapy that requires her to be isolated for two weeks due to radiation exposure. ‘It’s supposed to buy me maybe a year, maybe two or three years of freedom from treatment,’ she explained. ‘In the best-case scenario, it would have made the metastases disappear, but that didn’t happen.’

Williams is now publicly advocating for Pancreatic Cancer UK, the charity of the year for the London Marathon, emphasizing the need for better diagnostic tools and funding for research. She shared, ‘The average time from diagnosis to death is three months, and that figure has not improved in 50 years.’ Her call for change is urgent, as one in four patients die within a month of diagnosis.

To further highlight the impact of pancreatic cancer, Williams is supporting an installation called Shoes of Hope at Tower Bridge during the marathon. The display will feature 767 pairs of trainers, symbolizing the lives lost to the disease each month in the UK. She candidly expressed, ‘What could change that is early detection with a test that could be as simple as breathing into a bag at your GP.’

Williams’s resolve extends beyond her own experience as she careens through life with humor despite the odds. She recalls, ‘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.’

As she educates others about the signs of pancreatic cancer, she urges individuals over the age of 40 to seek medical attention if they notice consistent changes in their bowel habits. ‘Be vigilant,’ she stressed. ‘This is where I get emotional, but I’m not looking for sympathy; I’m looking for a cheap, early test.’

The actress continues to balance her career with her health challenges, recalling her recent work on the acclaimed series The Crown. ‘I feel so much better when I have work to do,’ she shared, emphasizing the importance of staying engaged with her passion.

In a recent interview, Williams also reflected on her family life and the importance of preparing for the unforeseen. She noted, ‘It’s critical to have your affairs in order, as you don’t know what’s going to happen.’ Despite her hardships, she approaches the future with resilience and humor, reminding herself that life is precious and unpredictable.

Olivia Williams stands as an inspiring advocate for pancreatic cancer awareness, reminding others of the importance of early detection and support for those affected by the disease. ‘All I want is more funds for research, better options for patients, and a better future for those at risk,’ she concluded.