Delta Goodrem claims having cancer was a ''gift''.

The 30-year-old Australian singer battled Hodgkin's lymphoma when she was 18 years old, and though she ''never'' wants to be stricken by the blood condition again, she hopes her experiences made her a ''pillar of strength and hope'' for other sufferers.

She said: ''At the time I was number one in the charts I was jumping around and health doesn't discriminate against any moment in time, this is what I had to go through. I look at it like it's a gift, I never want to do it again I've been there and done that, but I do hope that I stand as a pillar of strength and a pillar of hope.''

Delta was treated at the St. Vincent's Hospital, New South Wales and is now patron of the medical facility, a position she hopes has helped other cancer sufferers.

She added on UK TV show 'Lorraine': ''I worked very hard at the hospital which saved my life. I am now a patron of the hospital and I've worked many years with them and hopefully been able to make a difference.''

Though the former 'Neighbours' star is now free of cancer, she admits it took her a ''long time'' to fully feel like herself again.

She said: ''Anyone who has gone through cancer or are going through cancer or gone through their own battle. It's completely their own. It takes a long time to put the pieces back together. It took a long time to put my pieces back together.''