British author Sophie Kinsella has revealed she is fighting an “aggressive” form of brain cancer.
The 54-year-old, best known for the Shopaholic book series, learned of her glioblastoma diagnosis at the end of 2022.
She has just now shared the news, explaining in a lengthy statement on social media why she kept it private for so long.
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“To my dear readers and followers, I’ve waited a long time to share with you a health update and I’ve been waiting for the strength to do so,” she began.
“At the end of 2022, I was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of aggressive brain cancer.
“I did not share this before because I wanted to make sure that my children were able to hear and process the news in privacy and adapt to ‘our new normal’.”
Kinsella said she had undergone successful surgery at the University College Hospital in London, with radiotherapy and chemotherapy still ongoing.
“At the moment all is stable and I am feeling generally very well, though I get very tired and my memory is even worse than it was before!” she said.
She thanked family and friends for their support and her medical team for her treatment, before sending her wishes to fellow cancer patients.
“To everyone who is suffering from cancer in any form, I send love and best wishes, as well as to those who support them,” she wrote.
“It can feel very lonely and scary to have a tough diagnosis, and the support and care of those around you means more than words can say.
“I’ll be in touch soon, and in the meanwhile, greetings from sunny London.”
Glioblastoma is a fast-growing form of cancer that can happen at any age however tends to occur in older adults, specifically men, according to the Mayo Clinic.
It starts with the growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord.
There is no cure. Treatment involves slowing down the cancer’s growth and monitoring symptoms.
Kinsella wrote her first novel, The Tennis Party, in March 2001.
She went on to publish Swimming Pool Sunday, Cocktails for Three, Sleeping Arrangements and The Gatecrasher.
Her best-known series is Shopaholic which includes the book Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic, later adapted into the Isla Fisher-led film Confessions of a Shopaholic.
Following her announcement on X, friends and followers reached out to offer support.
Celebrity cook Nigella Lawson led the responses, writing, “What a truly awful ordeal. Sending so much love to you and your family, and wishing the absolute best for you”.
Fellow author Louise Mensch said: “I send you absolutely all of my love. So, so many hugs to you, you are and you have always been such a beautiful light in this world x.”
Also leaving a message was author Judy Astley, who has breast cancer.
“I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been going through this awfulness,” Astley wrote.
“Wishing you all the very best and with hopes that the cancer buggers right off. Love from me (and my sodding breast cancer!)“