Julia Louis-Dreyfus Says She's 'Living More Mindfully' 5 Years After Surviving Breast Cancer

The 'Veep' star was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in September 2017 and announced she was cancer-free in October 2018

Julia Louis-Dreyfus has a changed mindset five years after surviving breast cancer.

The Veep star appeared on the November cover of WSJ. Magazine — which named the actress its entertainment innovator of the year — and spoke candidly about her health journey.

The 62-year-old recalled the moment she got the call from her doctor and learned she had stage 2 breast cancer, the day after winning her sixth consecutive Emmy award in September 2017. After hanging up the phone, the first thing Louis-Dreyfus did was double over with laughter.

“I mean, it felt like it was written. It felt like it was a horrible black comedy,” she told the outlet. “And then it sort of morphed into crying hysterically.”

The star admitted that she was terrified of her diagnosis.

“You just simply don’t consider it for yourself, you know, that’s sort of the arrogance of human beings,” she added. “But of course, at some point, we’re all going to bite it.”

Related: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Opens Up About Her Cancer Recovery: 'I Have So Much to Be Grateful for'

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Louis-Dreyfus announced she was cancer-free in October 2018 following a double mastectomy and six rounds of chemo.

The actress said she used to feel immortal but now, five years after finishing treatment, she has a new approach to life and is determined to make the most of her years in remission.

“I find myself living more mindfully,” she said. “It’s not like it’s yakking at me all the time, but there’s more laser focus.”

Louis-Dreyfus is being honored at WSJ. Magazine’s 13th annual Innovator Awards along with 6 other cultural groundbreakers on Nov. 1. For exclusive red carpet access and insider event details of the intimate, star-studded event, follow @wsjmag on Instagram and TikTok. 

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