Thursday Thirteen #63: Celebrities Who've Survived Breast Cancer

Thirteen Famous Breast Cancer Survivors

As many of you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With nearly 200,000 people diagnosed each year as having breast cancer, the disease touches many of us. Here are a few celebs who can count themselves as survivors.


1. Christina Applegate- On August 3, 2008, it was announced that the Samantha Who? star had been diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer. 11 days later, it was reported that Christina underwent a double mastectomy. She is currently scheduled to undergo reconstructive surgery over the next eight months.
















2. Diahann Carroll- The iconic actress/singer was diagnosed at the age of 63. In order to draw attention to the cause, she invited a camera crew into her treatment room for a nationally broadcast special.
















3. Sheryl Crow- In early 2006, the Grammy-winning singer was diagnosed with the disease. She underwent successful surgery later in the year and has become a passionate spokeswoman for breast cancer research.
















4. Melissa Etheridge- The award-winning singer was diagnosed in 2004 and underwent chemotherapy. Bald from the radiation treatments, Melissa made a triumphant performance at the Grammys the following year.
















5. Peggy Fleming- The 1968 Olympic gold medalist for figure skating was diagnosed in 1998. Her breast cancer was detected in its early stages and surgery was successful.
















6. Kate Jackson- The former Charlie's Angels star battled the disease twice, in 1987 and 1989.
















7. Kylie Minogue- The singer/actress/author was diagnosed in May 2005. Later that year, she completed her chemotherapy treatment at a hospital in Paris.

















8. Olivia Newton-John- The Aussie singer/actress was diagnosed in 1992. She underwent a mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

















9. Cynthia Nixon-The Sex and the City star was diagnosed during a routine mammogram in October, 2006. In 2008, she began to serve as Ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
















10. Robin Roberts- In 2007, the Good Morning America co-anchor announced that she had been diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer (she noticed a lump through self-examination). As of January of this year, Robin had completed her eight chemotherapy treatments. She then underwent 6 1/2 weeks of radiation treatment, which was completed in March.
















11. Richard Roundtree- The actor best known from the Shaft films is living proof that breast cancer affects men as well. Roundtree was diagnosed in 1993, had a radical mastectomy and rounds of chemotherapy.
















12. Rene Syler- The former co-host of CBS News the Early Show was diagnosed in 2003. An activist for the illness even before she was diagnosed, Syler is a recipient of the 2004 Gracie Allen Award for Individual Achievement in the National Best Anchor category for her breast cancer series.
















13. Shirley Temple Black- The legendary child star and former U.S. Ambassador was diagnosed in 1972 after finding a lump in her left breast. She later underwent a mastectomy and holds the distinction of being the first celebrity to publicly announce that they had breast cancer. Shirley's announcement generated over 50,000 letters of support from her fans.















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