Valerie Harper is unfortunately not cancer-free, despite a report that surfaced earlier today, and quickly spread via social media and other media outlets. The beloved Mary Tyler Moore actress set the record straight after realizing that the false story began to trend on Twitter.
"In response to a recent erroneous quote concerning my health, I am not 'absolutely cancer-free,'" the 74-year-old says in a statement to Us Weekly. "I wish I were. Right now what I am is cautiously optimistic about my present condition and I have hope for the future."
Harper, who appeared on Dancing With the Stars last season, was first diagnosed with terminal brain cancer back in March 2013. In August, her doctor, Dr. Jeremy Rudnick, told the Today show she was "pretty close to remission."
Although Harper's health is still a concern, the star has continued to step out into the spotlight, and can next be seen in Hallmark Channel's Signed, Sealed, Delivered for a two-episode arc. During her time on DWTS, she also hoped to "inspire" others to keep fighting.
"I just feel so in the moment, so in this moment, so present," she told Us while competing on the ABC dancing competition back in September. "Anybody who's not living their life — I hope to inspire them. You've heard cancer people say it before — that they were lucky to get it because they were living more fully than ever before."