Being part of American Horror Story has helped improve Kathy Bates' life immensely.

Bates has battled some rough diseases over the past few years, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer and a chronic condition called Lymphedema. But having beaten both cancers and treating her Lymphedema, the award-winning actress isn't giving up on her passion.

Speaking in a new interview with CBS News, Bates admitted that American Horror Story has helped changed her life for the better.

"The work on that show has just rejuvenated my life, my energy, my outlook. I feel like I have something to look forward to," she said.

American Horror Story came along after Bates was both dealing with personal health issues and grappling with the cancellation of her NBC show, Harry's Law. She has played very colorful characters in her three seasons with American Horror Story, from a monstrous socialite to a bearded lady to a wry hotel manager.

Filming American Horror Story got her to the point of even joking about her mastectomy.

"They were saying, 'We're having a problem -- there's this shape on the side.' And I looked at it and I said, 'That's my breast! I can take that out!' And they were like, 'Oh, no, we can't ....' I said, 'No, no, it's easy, it's fake, you know?' So I went off and I pulled that prosthetic out, and we got the shot!" she recalled. "There's always a silver lining!"

The series has also helped catapult her back into awards discussion, winning an Emmy for playing Madame LaLaurie in American Horror Story: Coven. She would also be nominated at the Emmys and the Golden Globes for playing Ethel Darling in American Horror Story: Freak Show.

There hasn't been an official announcement that Bates is returning for season 6 of American Horror Story, but showrunner Ryan Murphy did say at PaleyFest recently "every darling person up here that wants to come back can come back." This included Bates, Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett, Denis O'Hare, Matt Bomer, Wes Bentley, Finn Wittrock and Cheyenne Jackson.

American Horror Story season 6 premieres this fall on FX.

Tags: American Horror Story television fx