How Brittany Daniel's Battle With Cancer Changed Her

March 19, 2014 — -- "Sweet Valley High" star Brittany Daniel has kept her battle with cancer quiet -- until now.

"It happened so suddenly," she told People magazine in its latest issue.

Daniel, 38, who now stars on BET's "The Game," said she started having night sweats and back pain in the summer of 2011.

After seeing the doctor, she was diagnosed with stage IV non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

"I feel like there is is no way I would have ever gotten through this without my family," she said.

Related: Hugh Jackman Reveals He Had Skin Cancer

After chemotherapy, the actress relied on those closest to her for support.

"My mom was the hugest support for me," she said. "She was my rock. My sister [Cynthia] was just amazing, she took me into her home and I ended up staying at my sister's house. My mom moved in with me, we stayed at my sister's guest house and my mom took care of me for a year and a half."

The "Joe Dirt" actress, who is now cancer free, decided to break her silence years later to inspire others through their own cancer battles.

"I want to let people know it is absolutely possible to get through something like this," she said. "I want people to know they are not alone."