Cobie Smulders' interview in the May issue of Women's Health reveals a major bombshell. For the first time, the former How I Met Your Mother star is going public about her battle with ovarian cancer.
Now 33, the Canadian actress is opening up about being diagnosed with the disease at the age of 25. At the time, Smulders was filming the third season of HIMYM, but chose to keep her health issues private.
"I had tumors on both ovaries," the Avengers: Age of Ultron star told Women's Health, "and the cancer had spread into my lymph nodes and surrounding tissues."
Smulders underwent multiple surgeries over a two-year period. In 2009, she gave birth to daughter Shaelyn, and welcomed a son this January. Her husband is Saturday Night Live star Taran Killam.
Despite having what many would consider a happy ending, the star acknowledged that the experience continues to weigh on her mind.
"I don't think I'll ever feel like I'm cancer-free," she said. "Now that I'm five years out, I'm trying to think of it as a positive thing and what can I learn from it. And if I can create more awareness, I'll do it."
Brave, inspiring, and strong — much respect, gal.
Watch the video below for Cobie's gorgeous cover and more inside the issue.