These Celebrities Have the Most Inspiring Things to Say About Battling Cancer
Cancer is a disease that affects most of us at some point in our lives—whether it be our own diagnosis or that of a loved one. In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute, about 38 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. And going through treatment is no easy feat. In addition to getting support from family and friends, people living with cancer need to learn how to stay positive on their own to fight through challenges and frustrations, and find ways to look forward with their life goals. Just ask these celebs who battled the disease while in the limelight and have served as inspiration in the process. Here are celebrities who have battled cancer and survived it.
Country singer Crow was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, at 44 years old. In an interview with Country Living she was asked about the lessons she learned during her journey and said: "One of them was to put myself first on my list of those I take care of. Another one was that it's okay to say no. It's okay if people are mad at you or disappointed in you if you're following your voice and you're taking care of yourself."
In 2018, Louis-Dreyfus announced her cancer diagnosis on Twitter: "1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today, I'm the one. The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union. The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let's fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality." Today, Louis-Dreyfus is in remission and advocates for breast cancer awareness.
Rancic was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, but recently celebrated eight years free from the disease. In an interview with her husband for Glamour, she shed light on how important it is to support caregivers, saying, "There isn't a lot for the people helping the woman with breast cancer. The husband, the partner, the parents, the friends, whoever is going to be the caregiver is really on their own and has no idea what they are about to do."
In 2018, the Jane the Novela star revealed her struggle with anal cancer on Instagram, writing "So grateful and happy to be alive but sad that my hair fell out and is about 1 inch long now and looks cra cra. Anyone else have #hairloss due to #cancer? Talk to me. I feel you. Xxoo m??????." Cross hopes that her story will help address the stigma around anal cancer and encourage people to not to be embarrassed about talking to their doctors if something isn't right.
The television and radio host was diagnosed with one of the most common types of lung cancer in 2017. He had surgery in July of the same year to have it removed. "They went in through my ribs with a tiny camera and snipped it out. I only had a little pain and some shortness of breath but once my speech is back full—and that took about a week—went right back to work," he told PEOPLE.
Singer and actress Rita Wilson opened up about her invasive lobular carcinoma—the second most common type of breast cancer—in 2015. In an interview with PEOPLE, she expressed gratitude for her entire support system, saying, "I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery. Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion."
This American singer-songwriter made headlines when she performed bald at the 2005 Grammys. After the show, in an interview with SHAPE, she said, "I've always been upfront. So I said, 'why should I hide my truth?' I had cancer. I had chemotherapy. I lost my hair. There's no shame in that."
Minogue, an Australian-British singer, was diagnosed with breast cancer while on tour in 2005. At an event with the Women's Cancer Research Fund, she shared advice for those recently diagnosed: "You can't be positive all the time. So I say, when you are feeling down, when you are having a moment, allow yourself to do that"
The Three's Company star was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. She's now cancer-free and has made lasting changes to her diet and lifestyle habits to try to stay that way. "I sleep eight hours a night and I don't take any drugs..I don't even worry about cancer," she told Us Weekly.
The actress kept her breast cancer diagnosis a secret while filming The Sopranos. She's now in remission, but in an interview with Health, she opened up about the challenges that remain. "When the cancer went into remission, I was relieved, of course, but it was also strangely depressing...it occurs to you you're really on your own, and its a bit nerve-racking," she said.
This Dexter actor survived Hodgkin's lymphoma—a cancer of the lymphatic system—when he was in his late 30s. He also kept it a secret while filming, but then announced his illness before the 2010 Golden Globes. "I'm glad I did, because I really underestimated how much that would be a source of inspiration or strength to other people," he told The Guardian.
Osbourne fended off colorectal cancer in the early 2000s. Then in 2012, she decided to get a double mastectomy when she found out she had a high risk for breast cancer. "I wasn’t diagnosed with cancer, but I had the gene and one of my breasts was in a really bad state because of the implant,” she said in an interview with PEOPLE. She's been open about her journey on The Talk.
The Today co-anchor was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Her battle was very public, as it coincided with a divorce and starting a new job, but she is cancer-free today. "I'm not wasting one more minute," she said in an interview with Cancer Connect.
The iconic English rock singer was diagnosed with thyroid cancer during a routine checkup. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, Stewart is now in remission, but remains a big supporter of the City of Hope Foundation, which works to improve treatments for all types of cancer.
Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and two years later, she underwent reconstructive surgery. She's been public about the process, even sharing a photo of her, her doctor, and his wife the week of her reconstructive surgery with the caption: "Dinner with Dr. Jay Orringer and his beautiful wife Jolynne. This man is performing surgery on me this week so dinner felt like a good call. @drjayorringer #reconstruction." Sadly, she recently revealed her cancer has returned.
The beloved Bates has survived both ovarian cancer and breast cancer. She opted out of breast reconstruction, telling ET Online, "I've joined the ranks of women who are going flat, as they say. I don't have breasts—so why do I have to pretend like I do? That stuff isn't important."
Quivers, who's worked in radio—most notably with Howard Stern—for years, revealed her endometrial cancer diagnosis in 2013. Despite the tumor being "the size of a grapefruit," she is now in remission and back at work.
Vergara was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2000 and had surgery to have the gland removed. In an interview with Parade, she said, "I've never done drugs or smoked. And I don't eat red meat. I felt totally healthy, and suddenly they tell me I have cancer? I was scared. I immediately thought of my child." But today she is happy to say she's in remission.
You might not recognize him without the black-and-white face paint, but this founding member of KISS was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. "It's a disease for women but 2% of men (out of all breast cancer victims) get this in the world and they need to be educated about it, " Criss told USA Today. He continues to work to increase awareness and decrease the stigma surrounding male breast cancer.
Fonda has been extremely open about her skin cancer journey and her health struggles in general. In a cover interview for British Vogue, she said, "I've had a lot of cancer. I was a sun-worshipper. When I have a day off, I frequently go to my skin doctor and have things cut off me by a surgeon." Fonda's cancer treatment is still an "ongoing process," but she isn't letting her health get in the way of what she has to offer.
Jackman has had six bouts with basal cell carcinoma, one of the most common forms of skin cancer. After his last dermatologist appointment to have some of the cancer from his face removed, he shared a photo on Twitter with the caption, "Another basal cell carcinoma. Thanks to frequent checks & amazing doctors, all's well. Looks worse w the dressing on then off! WEARSUNSCREEN."
Journalist, author, and TV host Joan Lunden was diagnosed with cancer in June 2014 and almost immediately became a breast cancer advocate. She famously posed bald for the cover of PEOPLE and told Today:" I posed bald for the cover of PEOPLE because I know there are women out there who will actually say no to chemo because they're so worried about losing their hair. That astonishes me because what's the alternative?"
De Niro was diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer in 2003. Luckily, they found it early enough that the disease had not spread. After surgery, he was cancer-free.
Romney was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and has been an advocate for early detection ever since. In a blog post for Glamour, she wrote, "As I know from my own experience with breast cancer, prevention and early detection could not be more important. For many women, early detection makes all the difference—it's truly a life-saver."
Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and again with cancer in her shoulder in 2013. In an interview with Everyday Health in 2008 about her first time battling the disease, she said, "My family and friends were definitely the key to my recovery." She has since opened the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia.
The Olympic swimmer was diagnosed with testicular cancer in July of 2008—one week before he qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics. He still competed and told Swimming World the struggle actually helped give him a different perspective on his sport: "I think a lot of the times when you get to a high level of competition, it becomes the most important thing in the world and it's really not. There is a big life outside of sports," he said.
Activist, feminist, and journalist Gloria Steinem was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986. She had surgery, is now cancer-free, and shared with HBO about how her illness affected he life: "The cancer served a real purpose, making me a little bit more conscious of time."
Applegate was diagnosed with breast cancer at 36 years old and decided to have a double mastectomy. She opened up about the decision on The Oprah Winfrey Show, saying, "It came on really fast. It was one of those things that I woke up and it felt so right. I don't want to keep putting that stuff in my body. I just want to be done with this. And I was just going to let them go."
The Dancing With The Stars host was diagnosed with breast cancer at 40 years old. When asked by Parade what she wishes she knew before her diagnosis, she said: "Learning how to read an ingredient label the proper way, not just looking at it for fat content and calories, but truly understanding what the ingredients are that are going into the foods that I was eating..." Her newfound knowledge of nutrition led her to write a book called Your Healthiest Healthy.
Blume was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2012. On her blog, she expressed gratitude for her support system: "I'm lucky to have a loving, supportive partner in life (husband George) who has been fantastic, accompanying me to every doctor's appointment, keeping me amused, making sure I'm well fed, and reassuring me every step of the way," she wrote.
The actor was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016, when he was 48 years old. In a 2018 interview with Today he said, "I'm doing great. I was really fortunate that my course of treatment was basically an operation and that was it."
This Charlie's Angels star was 56 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She's in remission now and involved in a program called Strength in Knowing, which functions to support women with breast cancer. "Strength in Knowing will connect women to other women and to information. They can visit the website daily and feel like there's someone there," she told Woman's Day.
Actor Richard Roundtree with diagnosed with breast cancer in the early '90s, but kept his illness a secret for years. He told ABC News, "I was in the closet, so to speak, until after the fifth year when I was cancer free." He's now outspoken about his journey and works to increase awareness of male breast cancer.
Fashion designer Johnson was diagnosed with breast cancer at 57. Other than telling her daughter, Lulu, she kept her battle under wraps until she was cancer-free. She is now open about her journey and is an advocate for cancer awareness.
The comedian shared her experience getting a double mastectomy for zero-stage breast cancer on The Ellen Degeneres Show, joking that "I had the choice of, you can go back every three months and get it checked...But, I'm not good on keeping on top of stuff. I mean, I'm sure I'm overdue for an oil change and a teeth cleaning already."
The Affair actress underwent treatment for breast cancer in 2010. Later that year, in an iconic moment on the The Ellen Degeneres Show, she recalled a funny moment she experienced when deciding on the type of implants for her reconstruction. "These two women that I never met before came into my doctor's office and took off their tops, and I got to touch them and decide which kind of implant I wanted," she said.
In 2003, the former Secretary of State underwent a special surgery called radical prostatectomy, which involves removing the entire prostate gland and some nearby pelvic lymph nodes. Since then, he is cancer-free and has become an advocate for prostate cancer awareness.
Good Morning America host Roberts revealed her battle with breast cancer in 2007. Looking back on the experience in an interview with Cure, she had some advice to share: "Quiet time or meditation is also important, because it's as much mental as physical when you're going through this. I liked watching comedies and just trying to keep a lightness," she said.
Olympic gold medalist and gymnast Shannon Miller was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 33. She went through chemotherapy and less than a year after she announced her illness, she was in remission. She told Cancer.org she credits her mental toughness for getting through it all: "A huge part of my success as an athlete was that I had the mental game. To get through the toughest moments of treatment I relied on goal setting and keeping that positive mentality."
These Celebrities Have the Most Inspiring Things to Say About Battling Cancer
Cancer is a disease that affects most of us at some point in our lives—whether it be our own diagnosis or that of a loved one. In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute, about 38 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. And going through treatment is no easy feat. In addition to getting support from family and friends, people living with cancer need to learn how to stay positive on their own to fight through challenges and frustrations, and find ways to look forward with their life goals. Just ask these celebs who battled the disease while in the limelight and have served as inspiration in the process. Here are celebrities who have battled cancer and survived it.
"The cancer served a real purpose, making me a little bit more conscious of time," said Gloria Steinem.
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