Kathy Bates Hid Ovarian Cancer: ‘I Would Go To Chemo By Myself’

On Thursday's episode of Anderson, Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates will discuss her secret battle with ovarian cancer nearly a decade ago.

Anderson Cooper tweeted a video preview clip of the interview ahead of Thursday's broadcast. In it, the 63-year-old explains why she kept her cancer to herself.

When you were going through ovarian cancer...you didn't let people know. Why? Cooper asked.

I was advised to, Bates said. I was about to go into a movie at that time -- 'Little Black Book,' with Brittany Murphy, who I miss very much...My doctors at the time, they had to get insurance approval and all of that, so I was very quiet about it and had to go back to work right away.

And I guess part of it was just...I don't know how to explain it, the actress continued. You just ...nobody else really knows what you're going through except another cancer patient, and even though your family is supportive and surrounds you...I just got the point where I would go to chemo by myself, and just really go through it on my own.

I guess it's something I felt I had to face on my own. Now if I go through it again I think I'd be a lot more open about it. I admire people who have been open...like Melissa Ethridge and women I see walking around facing it without wigs, she said.

I think I would be more courageous this time.

It sounds to us like Bates was pretty brave back then -- and we certainly hope that she never has to face cancer again.

Bates has been in full remission since treating her ovarian cancer with surgery and chemotherapy. Though ovarian cancer is one of the more deadly, if detected early it can be treated. But because the symptoms -- bloating, fatigue, and lower back apin -- can mimic other benign conditions, ovarian cancer can difficult to detect an early stage.

Bates went public with her cancer battle in 2008, after she had been in full remission for five years. In a public service announcement for the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, Bates urged women to pay attention to what's going on in their body .... Whatever it is, something that's bothering you -- so what if they think you're crazy for going to the doctor? Go to the doctor.

Bates won an Academy Award for her portrayal of a crazed literary fan in Misery, her first high-profile film role after nearly two decades of working in theater, soap opera, and television. She currently stars on NBC's Harry's Law, which is currently in its second season.

Bates has reportedly been tapped to cameo as Charlie Sheen's ghost in an upcoming episode of Two and a Half Men.