Valerie Harper Brain Cancer: 'Rhoda' Actress Diagnosed with Terminal Cancer, 'I Don't Think of Dying'

Valerie Harper, best known from her role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

The 73-year-old first received the diagnosis on Jan. 15 with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, according to a report on Wednesday from People Magazine.

The rare condition involves cancer cells spreading into the fluid-filled membrane near the brain and has left Harper with only three months remaining to live.

She opened up about the diagnosis and her new outlook on life.

"I don't think of dying," she said. "I think of being here now."

Harper also stated that while it was first a surprise to find out about her cancer she eventually thought that there could be some good that came out of the situation.

"I was stunned. And in the next minute I thought, 'This could draw more attention to cancer research.' I think there's an opportunity to help people," she added.

This is not the first time that the actress has faced cancer.

She was previously diagnosed in 2009 with lung cancer. The lifelong non-smoker received the diagnosis following an X-ray she received before surgery for a broken wrist, according to Yahoo News.

Harper made a name for herself as the wise-cracking neighbor Rhoda Morgenstern on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and revived the character on the TV spinoff Rhoda. Harper has appeared more recently on Desperate Housewives and Drop Dead Diva. Through the years she has made plenty of guest appearances that include spots on Sex and the City, Melrose Place and That '70s Show.

She published her memoir titled I, Rhoda in January where she discussed her life in television.

Harper is featured on the cover of the latest issue of People which hits newsstands on Friday where she goes into detail about her life after the diagnosis.