SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Mary Murphy judges the...

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Mary Murphy judges the competition for Season Six of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE premiering Wednesday, Sept. 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. �2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Michael Williams/FOX Credit: Photo by

"So You Think You Can Dance" judge Mary Murphy, who left the show last season to concentrate on her fight against thyroid cancer, has beaten the disease and plans to be back when the Fox dance competition returns this summer.

"I'm very grateful because I'm so upset at myself that I didn't go in earlier," ballroom-dance champ Murphy, 52, told Life & Style magazine Tuesday. "They told me that the tumor had to come out and there's a chance I might not be able to talk again. Outside of the word 'cancer,' I really couldn't imagine my life without hearing myself laugh," she said, referring to her trademark guffaw.

Murphy was diagnosed three years ago, but held off on surgery until Dec. 15.

"I've always had a pretty good attitude, but now I don't take things for granted as much," she said.

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