Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson confirms sister Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell's stage four cancer diagnosis

Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson has confirmed the tragic news that her older sister, Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell is battling stage four cancer.

The Toddlers and Tiaras star took to her Instagram story, sharing a screenshot of a news story featuring her older sister, writing, "& this is what I mean when I say you never truly know what somebody is going through at home. no matter how famous they are.

"yes, I'm very famous but normal sh–t happens to me and my family & y'all need to realise that asap," the now 17-year-old said.

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Cardwell was revealed to have been diagnosed with stage four adrenal carcinoma in January, according to family sources who informed TMZ. The 28-year-old was reportedly complaining of stomach aches before a series of tests were conducted, which eventually discovered the cancer in her liver, kidney and lung.

TMZ was told the 28-year-old underwent her first round of chemotherapy last month, with the reality TV star already losing hair as a result. Doctors are reportedly waiting to see how she responds to the treatment before moving forward.

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Her family is "very hopeful" that Chickadee will pull through.

Since appearing with her sister and family on Toddlers and Tiaras, and later Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Cardwell has since become a mum of two to 10-year-old Kaitlyn and 7-year-old Kylee, both of whom the rest of the family reportedly help to take care of during the medical ordeal.