10 Celebrities Who Have Beaten Breast Cancer

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

10 Celebrities Who Have Beaten Breast Cancer

What brings these celebrities together is that each one has bravely battled breast cancer - and survived.

Did you know that breast cancer strikes 1.3 million people across the globe annually? Of these, 465,000 cases will be fatal.

Let their stories be an inspiration to you that breast cancer can be beaten, and that life indeed can go on!

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1. Sheryl Crow

Former music teacher turned singer-songwriter, Sheryl Crow, now aged 46, was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in February 2006. Crow had minimally invasive surgery followed by radiation therapy. Crow did a documentary film in 2007 called Crazy Sexy Cancer. She also wrote the foreword to Kris Carr’s book Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips that was based on her documentary
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2. Kylie Minogue

Born in Melbourne Australia, sultry pop superstar Kylie Minogue was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in May 2005. She put an end to her touring schedule in order to have chemo and radiation treatments. A sharp rise in the number of women aged 25 to 44 who chose to have breast imaging and breast biopsies was triggered by Minogue’s diagnosis at the age of 37. Minogue likened her battle with the disease to “experiencing a nuclear bomb.”

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3. Olivia Newton-John

Breast cancer survivor and health advocate, Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed in 1992. A friend of Minogue’s, Newton-John appealed to the media and the public to give the younger star her privacy. Newton-John released an album called Stronger Than Before in 2005 to promote breast cancer awareness. She is also currently raising money to build the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre in Melbourne Australia.

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4. Jaclyn Smith

Jaclyn Smith, well known for her role as Kelly Garrett on Charlie’s Angels, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, 15 years after fellow Angels star Kate Jackson (Sabrina Duncan), began her treatment for the disease. Jackson has fought the battle twice. Smith is the spokesperson for a program called “Strength in Knowing: The Facts and Fiction of Breast Cancer Risk

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5. Richard Roundtree

Roundtree has acted in a number of films and television shows, but is best known for his role as private detective John Shaft in the 1970 film Shaft. Richard Roundtree is living proof that breast cancer does not just happen to women. He discovered a lump in his right breast in 1993. This was followed by chemotherapy, radiation treatments and a mastectomy. Roundtree has become an advocate of the disease and works closely with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. He frequently speaks to men’s groups regarding the importance of early detection.

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6. Cynthia Nixon

Sex and the City’s no-nonsense lawyer Miranda Hobbs was portrayed by actress Cynthia Nixon, who has experienced breast cancer herself, but also saw her mother battle it when she was 12 years old. Nixon remained quiet about her 2002 diagnosis for some time as she quietly campaigned behind the scenes. She became a breast cancer activist and was able to convince NBC to air her breast cancer special on primetime. In 2008, she became a spokesperson and ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure

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7. Melissa Etheridge

Grammy-winning rock singer Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with stage II cancer that had spread to one of her lymph nodes in the latter half of 2004. She actively works to raise awareness of breast cancer. Her song “Take a Little Piece of My Heart” has become an anthem for breast cancer survivors everywhere.

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8. Carly Simon

Singer-songwriter Carly Simon underwent a mastectomy followed by reconstructive surgery in October 1997. During her healing and recovery, she wrote an autobiographical album titled The Bedroom Tapes.

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9 . Christina Applegate

Since having been diagnosed with breast cancer Applegate underwent a double mastectomy and is now 100% cancer free, with plans to have reconstructive surgery in the following months.

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10. Nancy Reagan

In 1987, former first lady Nancy Reagan, was diagnosed during a routine mammogram. The Nancy Reagan Breast Center, a care facility based in California is named in her honour.

Draw strength from your favorite celebrities. Breast cancer can be battled and beaten! Early detection is vital. Join the fight to make breast cancer a part of history.