14 Celebrities Who Faced Breast Cancer
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In 2015, approximately 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
The good news is that the risk of dying from breast cancer has been dropping since about 1989, with greater decreases seen in women younger than 50. At this time, there are more than 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., including many famous faces who have bravely come forward to draw attention to the disease. Here's an update on 14 fearless celebrities who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
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1. Shannen Doherty
By watchwithkristin [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The 44-year old star of Beverly Hills 90210 and Charmed told People magazine that she was being treated for breast cancer in August 2015
Treatment: The cancer has spread to at least one lymph node, according to media reports. There are no details on Doherty's treatment
Status: Undergoing treatment as of August 2015.
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2. Sandra Lee
By David Shankbone [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Celebrity chef and longtime girlfriend of New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, Sandra Lee announced that she had been diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in May 2015 at age 48 following a routine screening mammogram.
Treatment: Lumpectomy, followed by a double mastectomy
Status: Hospitalized briefly for complications following double mastectomy in May 2015 (currently in recovery)
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3. Rita Wilson
Angela George [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Actress Rita Wilson and wife of Tom Hanks was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma in April 2015 at age 58.
Treatment: Double mastectomy
Status: Recently given the all clear!
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4. Amy Robach
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ABC News' Amy Robach was diagnosed with breast cancer on air after she reluctantly underwent a mammogram on Good Morning America.
Treatment: Double mastectomy followed by chemotherapy
Status: Finished last round of chemotherapy in late September 2015 and back on air
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5. Cynthia Nixon
By Yahoo from Sunnyvale, California, USA [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 at age 40
Treatment: Lumpectomy and radiation
Status: Survivor and advocate
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6. Olivia Newton John
By Liam Mendes [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Songstress and Grease star Olivia Newton John was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. She founded the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre, in Melbourne, Australia.
Treatment: Surgery and chemotherapy
Status: Survivor.
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7. Joan Lunden
By MSgt. Mamie Burke, USAF [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Former Good Morning America co-host Joan Lunden was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer) in June 2014 at the age of 63.
Treatment: Chemotherapy and lumpectomy surgery, followed by radiation
Status: More than one year cancer free!
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8. Giuliana Rancic
By David Shankbone [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Giuliana Rancic, talk show host and reality TV star, was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in October 2011 at age 36. This was the same year she and husband Bill welcomed a baby boy.
She founded Fab-U-Wish, a charity to help women feel their best as they cope with fighting cancer.
Treatment: Double lumpectomy followed by double mastectomy
Status: Survivor who continues to be closely monitored for any signs of recurrence
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9. Judy Blume
By JudyBlume2009.jpg: Carl Lender[1] of Flickr.com derivative work: Solid State Survivor [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Judy Blume, author of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret and a laundry list of other young adult classics, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, at the age of 74.
Treatment: Mastectomy and breast reconstruction
Status: Survivor
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10. Wanda Sykes
By Greg Hernandez (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Comedienne Wanda Sykes was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, at age 47, during a follow-up to her breast reduction surgery.
Treatment: Preventive double mastectomy
Status: Survivor (Still making us laugh!)
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11. Sheryl Crow
By The Heart Truth [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, at age 44.
Treatment: Lumpectomy and radiation
Status: Survivor. Diagnosed with benign brain tumor at age 51
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12. Robin Roberts
By Robin_Roberts_at_Heart_Truth_2010.jpg: The Heart Truth [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Beloved Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2007, at age 46.
Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation
Status: Roberts was diagnosed with a rare bone marrow disease, myelodysplastic syndrome, several years after beating breast cancer. This may have been a result of the radiation therapy. Currently, she is back on the air and reportedly doing great.
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13. Hoda Kotb
Today show co-host and Kathie Lee Gifford sidekick Hoda Kotb was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, at age 43.
Treatment: Mastectomy (Cameras followed her throughout her treatment)
Status: Survivor
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14. Edie Falco
By Drama League from USA [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Actress Edie Falco, who plays TV's Nurse Jackie and played Carmela Soprano on HBO's The Sopranos, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, at age 40.
Treatment: Chemotherapy
Status: Survivor
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Epilogue
There are many other famous names as well as non-celebrity who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and subsequently fought their way back to health. Sadly, many others have passed away as a result of the cancer. Some are young. Some are old. Some had preexisting risk factors such as family history, while others had none. Some are even men. Whoever you are, wherever you are, www.breastimplants4you.com and Ceatus Media Group salute you during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and throughout the rest of the year. Stay strong.
