Comedian Magda Szubanski, best known for her acting roles in Babe and Kath & Kim, has revealed she has stage 4 blood cancer.

In a video posted on social media, the 64-year-old said she had been diagnosed with a “very rare, very aggressive, very serious lymphoma”.

“It’s pretty confronting … but new treatments keep coming down the pipeline constantly,”

Szubanski said.

Szubanski said she had begun Nordic protocol treatment, a chemotherapy regimen used to treat mantle cell lymphoma.

With a career spanning more than 20 years, Szubanski achieved international acclaim for her role as Esme Hoggett in the film Babe.

She also played the netball-loving character of Sharon Strzelecki in popular Australian sitcom Kath & Kim.

Actress Magda Szubanski as Sharon Strzelecki in Kath & Kim

Sharon Strzelecki is perhaps Szubanski’s most enduring creation. (ABC News)

In a statement posted with the video, Szubanski said she was receiving treatment for the rare stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma.

“I’m lucky to be getting absolutely world-class care here in Melbourne,” she said.

“I won’t sugar-coat it: it’s rough. But I’m hopeful.

“I’m being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and I’ve never felt more held by the people around me.”

Entertainment world sends love to Szubanski

Szubanski’s social media announcement was met with supportive comments from other Australian entertainers.

“Lots of love and support to you beautiful one,” television personality Rove McManus wrote.

Television host Julia Zemiro said she was sending Szubanski “so much love and courage and hugs”.

“Oh Mags, I’m so sorry to hear this … news, you’re such an inspiration to so many of us, an icon for the ages,” television chef and author Poh Ling Yeow wrote.

“Hope you can feel all the strength being sent your way from our crew and everyone who loves you.”

A woman wearing a purple patterned scarf stands in a park in front of cardboard cut out people.

Magda Szubanski has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of blood cancer. (ABC)

Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame said she was sending “warm, immuno-safe virtual hugs”.

“Sending you all the love in the world,” she wrote.

From comedy royalty to social advocacy

Born in Liverpool in England in 1961, Ms Szubanski moved to Australia with her family in 1966 and attended school in Melbourne.

What is mantle cell lymphoma?

A photo of a woman wearing a dark red top, shoulder-length blonde hair.

Australian comedy icon Magda Szubanski has been diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. Here’s what we know about it.

Her big break in television came in 1989 as part of the sketch comedy program Fast Forward.

She was a co-writer on 90s sketch comedy show Big Girl’s Blouse, originally creating her well-known Sharon Strzelecki character for the program.

Ms Szubanksi has won seven Logies in her career and has twice been named the Most Popular Person on Television in 2003 and 2004.

In 2016 she released her memoir, Reckoning, describing her childhood and the challenges she faced growing up.

She has been vocal speaking out against weight stigma and diet culture and detailed her struggles with body image as part of the ABC series Magda’s Big National Health Check.

What is mantle cell lymphoma?

Mantle cell lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that begins in the lymphatic system.

It is one of about 60 subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, according to the Cancer Council’s website.

Mantle cell lymphoma affects a type of white blood cell called a B-cell and is named for the mantle zone — the outer ring — of the lymph nodes where it develops.