Jane Fonda health scare: What is Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?

The news of Jane Fonda suffering from cancer has been more heart-breaking to her fans than Fonda herself. The Grace & Frankie star is surprisingly doing well, according to her latest Instagram post where she talked about how positive she is through her health hazards. 

"I've been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and have started chemo treatments. ‘This is a very treatable cancer. 80% of people survive, so I feel very lucky," before adding a dash of optimism to her post, saying that she will be undergoing chemotherapy for six months and is ‘handling the treatments quite well’.

Now to under her illness and what it entails for the Hollywood icon, we must understand what is this kind of cancer all about. 

What is Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?

According to a news report by USA Today, it is a form of cancer that starts in white blood cells, typically in the lymph nodes and lymphatic tissues that are part of the immune system. As per the American Cancer Society, the overall 5-year relative survival rate for people with NHL is 73%.

What are its symptoms?

Some of the common signs and symptoms of this disease, as per an informative article by Mayo Clinic.org, are:

Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpits or groin

Abdominal pain or swelling

Chest pain, coughing or trouble breathing

Persistent fatigue

Fever

Night sweats

Unexplained weight loss

The Hollywood royalty, who has won two British Academy Awards along with two Oscars, has always been an advocate for social causes affecting the eco system, such as climate change.

"We're living through the most consequential time in human history because what we do or don't do right now will determine what kind of future there will be and I will not allow cancer to keep me from doing all I can," she wrote.

Fans and supporters have been pouring all their love and support on this icon. Check out the viral post to find out who said what about her diagnosis: