'I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 25': How I Met Your Mother star Cobie Smulders reveals secret health battle seven years on

Cobie Smulders has battled ovarian cancer.

The former How I Met Your Mother star was diagnosed with the potentially-fatal disease when she was just 25-years-old and secretly underwent numerous surgeries in the two years that followed.

The 33-year-old opened up about her battle in the May issue of Women's Health Magazine, saying: 'I had tumors on both ovaries, and the cancer had spread into my lymph nodes and surrounding tissues.'

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Sharing her struggle: In the May issue of Women's Health Cobie Smulders revealed her secret battle with ovarian cancer, which she was diagnosed with at age 25

Sharing her struggle: In the May issue of Women's Health Cobie Smulders revealed her secret battle with ovarian cancer, which she was diagnosed with at age 25

Cobie, who wed husband Taran Killam in 2012, gave birth to two children following her diagnosis, beginning with five-year-old daughter Shaelyn at age 27.

The star, who also has a three-month-old son, admits she doesn't ever think she'll feel free of the disease.

However, she wants to use her experiences in a positive way, and help raise awareness of ovarian cancer - which killed around 14,000 women last year.

'I don't think I'll ever feel like I'm cancer-free,' The Avengers actress shared. '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.'

Confident: The former How I Met Your Mother star looked radiant as she posed topless to show that she was confident and happy with her body

Confident: The former How I Met Your Mother star looked radiant as she posed topless to show that she was confident and happy with her body

Cobie has posed topless for the cover of the publication, and agreed to do so to prove how confident she is about her body, rather than to appear sexy.

She said: 'It was my first topless photo shoot where I wasn't trying to appear 'sexy', which was interesting.'

'Because it's a women's magazine, I feel like being topless is more about being confident and about being happy with your body rather than trying to excite somebody else. That's what this cover was more about.'

Support system: Cobie attended the Los Angeles premiere of Avengers: Age of Ultron with her husband Taran Killam, with whom she has five-year-old daughter Shaelyn and a three-month-old son

Support system: Cobie attended the Los Angeles premiere of Avengers: Age of Ultron with her husband Taran Killam, with whom she has five-year-old daughter Shaelyn and a three-month-old son

The brunette beauty also took time in the issue to share her advice for young people coming into show-business.

She told the publication: 'Just chill the F out, when you're young, you're so worried. I think I was in such a rush to grow up.'

'I think it's also the film industry; you're always trying to be established and trying get to the next level,' she continued.

Moving forward: 'I don't think I'll ever feel like I'm cancer-free,' the star admitted, but she hopes to use it as a positive, and to help create awareness

Moving forward: 'I don't think I'll ever feel like I'm cancer-free,' the star admitted, but she hopes to use it as a positive, and to help create awareness

'I feel like I should've just chilled out, gone back to college for four years and just hung out. Or traveled around the world or something. Just not work so hard.'

'But then, it also got me to where I am today, so it's a double-edged sword. But I think I could've probably mellowed out more.'

The actress continues to stay busy, and will soon be reprising her role as Maria Hill on the big screen for Avengers: Age of Ultron.

'I love doing these films. I love working with all of the characters. They have just such amazing people coming in and doing these roles now,' Cobie told the magazine.

Avengers: Age of Ultron hits movie theaters on May 1. 

In demand: The brave star will be seen in theaters again beginning May 1 in the hotly anticipated sequel of 2012's The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron

In demand: The brave star will be seen in theaters again beginning May 1 in the hotly anticipated sequel of 2012's The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron

 

 

 

 

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