14 Celebrities Who Faced Breast Cancer

  • celebrity - cancer battle

    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.

  • 1. Shannen Doherty

    celebrity - cancer battle - 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.

  • 2. Sandra Lee

    celebrity - cancer battle - 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)

  • 3. Rita Wilson

    celebrity - cancer battle - 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!

  • 4. Amy Robach

    celebrity - cancer battle - Amy Robach

    By Gradient drift [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

    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

  • 5. Cynthia Nixon

    celebrity - cancer battle - Amy Robach

    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

  • 6. Olivia Newton John

    celebrity - cancer battle - 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.

  • 7. Joan Lunden

    celebrity - cancer battle - 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!

  • 8. Giuliana Rancic

    celebrity - cancer battle - 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

  • 9. Judy Blume

    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

  • 10. Wanda Sykes

    celebrity - cancer battle - 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!)

  • 11. Sheryl Crow

    celebrity - cancer battle - 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

  • 12. Robin Roberts

    celebrity - cancer battle - 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.

  • 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

  • 14. Edie Falco

    celebrity - cancer battle - 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

  • Epilogue

    celebrity - cancer battle - 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.


  • P

    Joshua A. Greenwald, MD, FACS

    Greenwald Plastic Surgery
    166 5th Ave
    Second Floor
    New York City, NY 10010
    (914) 421-0113
    Learn more
    Gallery btn

  • P

    Joshua A. Greenwald, MD, FACS

    Greenwald Plastic Surgery
    10 Chester Avenue
    Second Floor
    White Plains, NY 10601
    (914) 421-0113
    Learn more
    Gallery btn

  • P

    Bahman Guyuron, MD

    29017 Cedar Road
    Lyndhurst, OH 44124
    440-461-7999
    Learn more
    Gallery btn


Find surgeon btn
x