'Housewives' star diagnosed with lung cancer

Desperate Housewives star Kathryn Joosten has revealed that she is battling lung cancer again.

The 69-year-old actress, who plays meddling neighbour Mrs McCluskey in the drama, told People that she learned the disease had returned less than one week ago.

"I've got a little hang-up here but we're going to handle it and move forward. I'm doing great," she said.

"I felt like the legs had been pushed out from under me. I completely did not expect it, and was devastated. I was crying for nearly five days straight."

She went on to say that she had told her Housewives co-stars today and that the show's producers are being "totally supportive" with arranging her filming schedule around the treatment.

The two-time Emmy winner was originally diagnosed with lung cancer in 2001 but recovered after undergoing surgery and without chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Joosten, who also starred in The West Wing, added that she hoped to use her fame to "erase some of the stigma of lung cancer", including the assumption that smokers brought the illness on themselves.