Actress and comedian Kathy Griffin SOPA Images

Kathy Griffin announces lung cancer diagnosis: 'The doctors are very optimistic'

Kathy Griffin is using her unfortunate circumstances to promote regular medical checkups.

The 60-year-old actress and stand-up comedian revealed in a statement posted Monday morning (Aug. 2) that she has been diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer and will soon surgically have "half of my left lung removed":

Griffin further discussed her diagnosis with ABC News correspondent Juju Chang for an episode of Nightline scheduled to air at 12:35 a.m. EST:

The interview also explores the professional and personal consequences she has been dealing with since she was controversially photographed holding up a bloodied Donald Trump mask. Griffin admitted she developed a pill addiction and eventually attempted suicide in June 2020.

"The irony is not lost on me that, a little over a year ago, all I wanted to do was die," Griffin told Chang. "And now, all I wanna do is live."

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