Breast cancer battle brought Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson 'closer'

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. Photo / Getty Images

Actress Rita Wilson is convinced her breast cancer ordeal brought her closer to her husband Tom Hanks.

Wilsoon has revealed her longtime partner, Hollywood heavyweight and Oscar-winning actor Hanks, took great care of her during her health crisis.

The 58 year old underwent a double mastectomy last month after she was diagnosed with the deadly disease which forced her to take medical leave from her Broadway play Fishin the Dark.

Wilson has told the New York Times that Hanks stayed at home with her before and after the surgery, and helped her through the difficult period.

"Who knew it would make you even closer? ... You never know how your spouse is going to react in a situation like this. I was so amazed, so blown away by the care my husband gave me. It was such a normal, intimate time," Wilson told the US publication.

Wilson returned to the stage for the first time since her operation on Tuesday, and she admits she spent a long time working on her lines amid fears the anaesthesia from the surgery might have affected her memory.

"It felt surreal in the sense that all these changes had happened ... It was so much fun. I had adrenaline coursing through me like never before. In a way, it was like a second opening night," she said of her return.

- WENN