Valerie Harper was quoted in Closer magazine as stating that she is “absolutely cancer-free” this week, but in a statement to Access Hollywood on Wednesday afternoon, the actress called the quote “erroneous.”
Access’ Billy Bush caught up with Valerie via satellite interview on Thursday to get to facts on her health.
“That was a mistake – a bit of a misnomer,” she said, regarding her use of the words “cancer-free.” “I was speaking about the scan on my entire body, saying the cancer had not spread. I still have cancer, I have Lepto, but we’re controlling it. I’m feeling good.
“The good news is it hasn’t gone to other parts of my body, which it usually does,” she continued. “The inaccuracy is that I’m not cancer-free. I have cancer and I’m fighting it.”
The 74-year-old, who doctors gave three to six months to live over one year ago, said it was a simple misunderstanding between herself and the writer of the article.
“It wasn’t malicious. I love the writer – Steve [Gidlow] did a great job ,” she said. “The whole article I loved.”
Since she’s feeling so well, Valerie has been able to film a new role in Hallmark’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” which premieres at 8 PM ET/PT on Sunday.
“I went to Vancouver and had such a great time working for two weeks and had such a good time working with a group of actors,” she said. “It reminded me of the old days of ‘Mary Tyler Moore’ or ‘Rhoda.’ It was a great familial feel.”
— Erin O’Sullivan
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