Olivia Newton-John Talks Honestly About Breast Cancer, Blows Us Away with Her Positive Outlook

Olivia Newton-John has been famous for decades, known to many

for classic character Sandy in Grease, but for so much more, that she appears

to be someone in our own lives, and in our homes.

But her life hasn’t been all glamour and fame. And in her new

book, "Don't Stop Believin'," which is released next week, she shares

stories about her amazing life, but also her continuing battle with breast

cancer.

In promotion for the book, she recently was interviewed with the

Today Show’s Natalie Morales.

"You can be a victim, or you can be a winner and enjoy your life,” the activist and actress says of her choice to cover her battles in her book, including that her last cancer diagnosis, which many thought was her second, was actually her third.

"Because of the speculation," she explained in the

interview. "I just decided I wanted to go through it myself. I don't know,

it was just a decision that I'd keep it to myself that time."

And for good reason because when the diagnosis came out, the

rumors started.

"They were telling me I was dying, and I thought, 'Well, I don't feel like it. I feel pretty good!'" she said. "But, you know, rumors start and then it gets out of control."

So Newton-John released a video announcing (and borrowing from

Mark Twain): "Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

"I decided, no, I'm going to come out and talk about it

because I have many friends and family all around the world, and I can't call

everyone," she said of her public response. "So I needed to let them

know that I'm OK."

And despite having cancer, she says she’s doing great. Thriving,

even. "Winning over," she said.

"I think, you know, what you think creates your reality. So it's a

decision. You have to make that decision. You can be a victim, or you can be a

winner and enjoy your life."

She says it’s all about being positive and enjoying each day -- a message we can all learn from.

"We're all going to die," she noted. "I mean, that's probably the hardest thing to accept as a human being, that we know that. So I kind of consider I've had a gift of extra time. I've lost people younger than me, so I'm very grateful. I'm 70, and I've had the most amazing life."

That's why she greets each day with a sense of joy.

"I had extra time, so whatever that is, I'm grateful for

it," she said, adding, "I'll just enjoy every day — that's all you

can do."