‘My biggest fibroid is the size of an orange’ – Lupita Nyong’o on her health battle
Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has yet again opened up about her long and painful battle with fibroids.
In a statement shared on her official social media account on Thursday, February 26, 2026, Lupita revealed that her largest tumour is the size of an orange, while the smallest are the size of blueberries.
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The Oscar-winning star further shared that 12 years ago, a doctor told her she had tumours growing inside her. At the time, she was informed they were fibroids, benign tumours that grow in and around the uterus.
While doctors reassured her that the condition was common, Lupita says that did little to ease the emotional and physical toll.
“12 years ago, a doctor told me I had tumours growing inside me. So when you have fibroids, doctors usually use fruits to explain what size your fibroids are,” Lupita disclosed.
“Your fibroids could be the size of a grape. My biggest fibroid is the size of an orange, and the smallest are the size of blueberries.”
Though described as non-cancerous and widespread among women, Lupita questioned why something so common remains poorly understood and often silently endured.
“He called them “fibroids,” – benign tumors that grow in and around the uterus, and reassured me they were common. “Common” didn’t make it okay,” she added.
Creating awareness
For over a decade, the actress suffered in silence. It was not until last July that she publicly shared her diagnosis for the first time, ending years of private struggle. The response, she says, was overwhelming.
“Last July, I ended a decade-plus of suffering in silence and publicly shared my diagnosis for the first time. Women worldwide responded with their own stories. I felt less alone, and more convinced than ever that this is not something we should accept,” Lupita said.
The actress believes there is a deeper issue at play when a condition affecting so many women is still surrounded by misinformation and silence.
“There’s something deeply wrong when a condition this widespread is this poorly understood. Do you accept this as the status quo? Neither do I,” she added.
In addition, Lupita says speaking up has been empowering beyond raising awareness, adding that it has connected her to women who have been advocating and fighting for better understanding, research and support for years.
“Speaking up has really empowered me, I have found community, and I have locked arms with women who have been fighting this fight for the longest time,” she noted.
