Olivia Newton-John's Sister Has Cancer, Singer Reveals

Olivia Newton-John's sister has had health struggles recently, Olivia recently revealed. She has been diagnosed with brain cancer. Olivia Newton-John battled breast cancer herself.

Olivia's sister, Rona Newton-John, was diagnosed with brain cancer and Olivia Newton-John, 64, has postponed her upcoming show in Las Vegas to be with her 69-year-old sister.

Olivia Newton-John battled breast cancer herself 20 years ago. She said in a statement to Entertainment Tonight,, "As a cancer 'thriver' myself, as many people are, I am very aware of the importance of love, support and family during this journey she is about to begin."

Olivia Newton-John, the Australian pop singer and icon who broke into the big scene in "Grease", said it was "very sad news" that her sister, Rona, has been "diagnosed with brain cancer," and that "in light of this news, I have decided to postpone my forthcoming Las Vegas residency to spend time with her and our family."

Hopefully, Olivia will be able to impart strength to her sister, including the power of humor, which she says got her through chemotherapy. Years ago, Rona said of her sister's cancer battle, "She had a sense of humor even when they were putting the needle in her veins. I was amazed at the inner strength Livvy had." 

Newton-John had a modified radical mastectomy and a simultaneous saline implant. She relied on laughter to weather chemotherapy, which she was very afraid of. "My fear was that I would die," she said afterwards.

Newton-John was slated to play a gig substituting for Donny & Marie Osmond's away dates is at Vegas' Flamingo hotel, but she has postponed before tickets even go on sale, surely disrupting fans' plans less due to the early warning.

Her sister Rona Newton-John was married to star Jeff Conaway, Newton-John's co-star from "Grease", from 1980 to 1985. They have a son together, Emerson, who is a race-car driver. Rona was also an actress.