It is painful to struggle with an illness. But when you do it in front of people it can be even more intense. But as these famous cancer survivors prove, talking openly about battling health conditions can help destigmatize them. For cancer survivors, talking about their experiences with cancer has helped to create a conversation and build a support network.
Here are 22 brave women who used their platform to talk about their battle with cancer. Their survival of the disease and how it changed their outlook on life.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
The actress was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in 2017 and announced the news to her millions of fans on Twitter. “One in eight women gets breast cancer. Today, I am the one.” Louis-Dreyfus eventually underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy to treat it, as she shared with Vanity Fair in 2019.
Robin Roberts
During a routine self-examination, the Good Morning America co-host felt a lump in her breast. “Because I was familiar with my body and lumps, I knew this one was different. It was in a different part of my breast and it was hard,” she told Prevention in a 2011 interview. Roberts was diagnosed with cancer after an ultrasound and biopsy. She initially underwent a lumpectomy to remove the tumor, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy for further treatment.
Jane Fonda
The actress and climate activist spoke about her multiple battles with cancer in British Vogue in 2019. “I've had multiple cancers,” she said. “I was a sun lover. When I have time off, I often go to my dermatologist and have a surgeon cut things out.” In 2016, she also underwent a mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Fran Drescher
The nanny idol was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2000. “It was strange - and somewhat ironic - that my reproductive organs, of all the organs, had cancer.” She wrote in a 2019 essay for InStyle. Drescher is the founder of Cancer Schmancer. An advocacy group focused on prevention, early detection and policy change.
Christina Applegate
In July 2008, Christina underwent a double mastectomy after doctors found cancerous tumors in one of her breasts. On Good Morning America, the Samantha Who star said that her mother, who has repeatedly survived breast cancer, inspired her to have the strength to make this decision. She also plans to establish a foundation to raise money to help high-risk patients. So they can cover the cost of an MRI scan that can detect cancer even in very dense breasts. About having reconstructive surgery, he added: “And you know, I'll have cute breasts until I'm 90.”.
Hoda Kotb
During a routine checkup in 2007, Kotb's gynecologist noticed a lump. She underwent a mastectomy and breast reconstruction. “The cancer shaped me, but it didn't define me. It's part of me, but not all of me.” Kotb said at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's 2017 Breast Cancer Research Symposium.
Wanda Sykes
Sykes discovered she had breast cancer after undergoing surgery to reduce her breast size. Thanks to the breast tissue samples taken, doctors were able to confirm that there was cancer in her milk ducts. This is how they diagnosed Sykes with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Due to a family history of breast cancer on her mother's side, Sykes opted for a preventative double mastectomy. “I had both breasts removed because now I have zero chance of getting breast cancer,” she told Ellen.
Gloria Steinem
The iconic feminist activist was diagnosed with breast cancer in the early 1950s. ’Cancer served a real purpose, making me a little more time conscious,“ she told HBO.
Sheryl Crow
Rocker's 2006 battle with breast cancer made her reassess her life. “But I had this clear picture of what my life would look like. I was going to get married and have kids,” she told Glamour. “You create your mythology, but sometimes it's based on a perception that's not the truth about you. Having cancer made me say, “OK, what is it that I want out of my life? I thought, if I want to be a mom, there are kids out there who need moms. I think you're choosing your family. And I did.” She adopted her son Wyatt in 2007.
Sharon Osbourne
As seen in the MTV series The Osbournes, Sharon is all for full disclosure. And her 2002 fight against colon cancer was no exception. So through early detection, minor surgery and chemotherapy, she recovered. But in a 2003 interview with USA Today, she admitted: “People don't want to talk about colon cancer. There's no ribbon on it. When I was better, my kids would joke about it. ’Mom, why did you have to get colon cancer? Couldn't it be something else? Why there? That's so typical of you.“” All joking aside, Osbourne went on and founded the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program. The program provides in-home assistance, transportation and more to patients with the disease.
Cynthia Nixon
In Sex and the City, Samantha was the one who had the breast cancer storyline. Who can forget Lil’ Kim's pink wig. After the show ended, however, Miranda was the one who was diagnosed in real life in 2006. Before the premiere of SATC: The Movie, Cynthia revealed her secret battle. She had even scheduled the removal of the tumor for Sunday. So that it would not coincide with a stage show she was starring in at the time on Good Morning America. After her announcement, she signed on to become an ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a breast cancer foundation.
Edie Falco
The wife of a mafia boss can handle almost anything - including breast cancer. Edie, from The Sopranos, kept her struggle with the disease a secret from her cast mates in 2003. “I kept my diagnosis out of the limelight, even from the cast and crew. Because well-meaning people would have driven me crazy by asking me: “How are you feeling?” I would say, “I'm scared, I don't feel so good and my hair is falling out!” she told Health magazine. So I pulled myself together, put on Carmela's nails and I was ready to work.”.
Giuliana Rancic
News anchor Giuliana Rancic was diagnosed with breast cancer while undergoing fertility treatments. She was terrified that the diagnosis was a death sentence as she wrote in her memoir. She eventually beat the disease and developed a new relationship with her body. “I feel more beautiful than ever, wonderfully alive in this body that was crooked, sterile, cancerous,” she wrote. “I realize something inside me has changed. That what I am seeking now is validation, not approval. A gift I can only give to myself.”.
Melissa Etheridge
Melissa didn't let breast cancer stop her from singing Janis Joplin's “Piece of My Heart” at the 2005 Grammys. Bald. “I remember when I finally made the choice,” she told Dateline NBC. “Yeah, I'm going bald. And you know what. Maybe this will help somebody who's going through chemo, who's lying in bed and thinking: Oh my God, I'm bald. Isn't that weird? Maybe it will help them feel a little bit better. I didn't know to what extent that would happen. But I'm honored [that the song had such an impact].”.
Suzanne Somers
During a routine mammogram in April 2000, radiologists found a malignant tumour in Suzanne's breast. The following year she spoke to America about cancer on Larry King Live. “I was in such shock,” she said of the diagnosis. “I'm very strong, and I was in such shock because I've always taken care of myself. I thought it would never happen to me. But I think that's what everyone thinks - it won't happen to them.” Suzanne's decision to avoid chemotherapy in favour of conventional radiotherapy and a homeopathic treatment has been widely discussed.
Kylie Minogue
The singer postponed the Australian leg of her 2005 Showgirl tour to undergo immediate treatment for breast cancer. But after an 18-month battle, she went into remission and resumed her tour. In 2008, the pop star discussed her first diagnosis (or lack thereof) on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. “I was initially misdiagnosed,” she said. “So my message to all of you and to everyone in the house is that just because someone wears a white coat and uses big medical tools doesn't necessarily mean they're right.”.
Rita Wilson
The actress and musician was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and underwent a double mastectomy. “Once you realize there's something inside you that's trying to kill you, you have to accept that there will be a new normal,” she told Health. “It's been a few years since I've felt normal again. So I think my [new] relationship with my body is that I don't take it for granted.”.
Ann Romney
In a 2012 essay for Glamour, the Utah senator's wife shared her battle with breast cancer. “My breast cancer diagnosis was one of my most difficult teachers,” she wrote. “It has been a moving experience to share my story with women across America. Still to hear them open their hearts to me about their own battles with the disease.”.
Olivia Newton-John
Grease's successful 1992 fight against breast cancer inspired her to speak out about it. But also about her life at the time through the album Gaia, One Woman's Journey. In addition, in honor of her work to raise awareness of the disease and the creation of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia, she was awarded the Marianne Williamson Founder's Award in August 2008.
Samantha Harris
The Dancing With the Stars contestant has made health and fitness a priority throughout her career. ’I did everything the “experts“ told me to do. Everything I was supposed to do and I felt strong and healthy,” she told Health in 2019. But a breast cancer diagnosis at 40 ”forced me to shift to a more positive mindset. And that led me to re-evaluate my “healthy“ lifestyle,” she said. She wrote about her recovery and health journey in her 2018 memoir Your Healthiest Healthy.
Jaclyn Smith
When doctors found a cancerous tumor in the former Charlie's Angels star and current Shear Genius judge's breast, she relied on the support of her friends and told CNN that a friend who had survived breast cancer was especially helpful. “She was there and she could tell: “Hey, look at me now. I'm on the other side of the problem.”.
Sofia Vergara
The Modern Family star was diagnosed with thyroid cancer when she was just 28 years old. She had her thyroid removed and has since spoken openly about living with hypothyroidism.
Source: glamour.com
