Rita Wilson has breast cancer and has undergone a double mastectomy.

Actress, mother-of-two and wife of Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson has revealed she has breast cancer.

Rita Wilson has allowed the world a glimpse into her health struggles in the hopes that other women might take on board her message.

Always get a second opinion.

The 58-year old actress has told People Magazine that she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has undergone a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

Wilson said that she’s “expected to make a full recovery” after catching it early and undergoing both procedures.

She told People that her husband, Tom Hanks was “by her side.”

In a statement she said “Last week, with my husband by my side, and with the love and support of family and friends, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer after a diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma. I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery. Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion.

Wilson, who guest stars in Girls, said that her first test for cancer came back negative but that she was correctly diagnosed after seeking a second opinion – which a friend urged her to do.

“I have had an underlying condition of LCIS, (lobular carcinoma in situ) which has been vigilantly monitored through yearly mammograms and breast MRIs. Recently, after two surgical breast biopsies, PLCIS (pleomorphic carcinoma in situ) was discovered. I mention this because there is much unknown about PLCIS and it is often found alongside DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). I was relieved when the pathology showed no cancer.

She goes on:

“However, a friend who had had breast cancer suggested I get a second opinion on my pathology and my gut told me that was the thing to do. A different pathologist found invasive lobular carcinoma. His diagnosis of cancer was confirmed by, yet, another pathologist.”

She says she is expected to make a full recovery.

“ I share this to educate others that a second opinion is critical to your health. You have nothing to lose if both opinions match up for the good, and everything to gain if something that was missed is found, which does happen. Early diagnosis is key. “

“I feel blessed to have a loving, supportive husband, family, friends and doctors and that I am the beneficiary of advances in the field of breast cancer and reconstruction. I am getting better every day and look forward to renewed health.

The actress who has two sons with Tom Hanks says she urges women to trust their instincts if something doesn’t feel right. Tom Hank’s first wife, Samantha Lewes died of bone cancer in 2002. Hanks and Lewes divorced in 1997.

Rita Wilson has been recently appearing in the Broadway play Fish in the Dark. She has said she will return to work on the 5th May.

Our thoughts are with her and her family.

For more information on PLCIS visit the Breast Cancer Network Australia or the McGrath Foundation.