Every passing year brings more success in the fight against breast cancer. Amazing women have conquered this horrible disease — and we are so inspired by them. Consider naming your baby girl-to-be after one of these brave survivors.
Celebrity breast cancer survivors
- Carly Simon — The 54-year-old singer underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and reconstructive surgery in 1997 and 1998, several years after a lump was first detected.
- Christina Applegate — The former Married, With Children actress was just 36 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. She did not go public until she had beaten the disease.
- Cynthia Nixon — The Sex in the City star was diagnosed in 2006 at age 40. Her mother also survived breast cancer.
- Edie Falco — The Sopranos star, diagnosed in 2003 at age 40, kept her battle a secret.
- Giuliana Rancic — The TV personality was 37 years old and undergoing aggressive IVF treatments when she was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 2011.
- Gloria Steinem — The outspoken feminist was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986.
- Jaclyn Smith — The former Charlie’s Angels star was 56 years old when she discovered a lump in 2002.
- Jill Eikenberry — The L.A. Law star was diagnosed in 1986.
- Kathy Bates — The 64-year-old award-winning actress revealed via Twitter that she had undergone a double mastectomy for breast cancer in July 2012.
- Kylie Minogue — The Australian singer was misdiagnosed before a second set of tests confirmed that the 36-year-old did indeed have breast cancer.
- Linda Ellerbee — The beloved journalist was treated with a bilateral mastectomy in 1991.
- Maggie Smith — The British actress and Harry Potter star was 73 years old when she was diagnosed in 2007.
- Melissa Etheridge — The singer/songwriter was diagnosed in 2004 at age 43. She discovered a lump during a self-examination.
- Nancy Reagan — The former First Lady was 66 years old when she was diagnosed in 1987. Her public battle inspired more women to have mammograms.
- Olivia Newton-John — The singer battled breast cancer in 1992.
- Robin Roberts — The Good Morning America anchor was 46 years old when she announced her diagnosis.
- Rue McClanahan — The Golden Girls actress beat cancer in 1997.
- Sandra Day O’Connor — The Supreme Court Justice underwent a mastectomy in 1982.
- Sheryl Crow — The singer credits early detection for saving her life after a routine checkup at age 40 led to her diagnosis and treatment.
- Shirley Temple Black — The former child film star had a mastectomy after discovering a lump in 1972.
- Suzanne Somers — The star of the 1970s sitcom Three’s Company opted for holistic medicines and therapy over standard cancer treatments.
- Wanda Sykes — The comedienne had a bilateral mastectomy at age 47 after being diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, a non-invasive stage zero breast cancer.
Brave breast cancer survivors
They might not be famous, but these women certainly are inspirational. Consider naming your baby after one of these special ladies.
“This tough lady beat breast cancer and hasn’t taken one minute for granted since,” says Shannon. Her mom is now 52 years old, and eight years cancer free!
“Early detection, self-examination and annual mammograms are the keys to beating breast cancer,” says Beth, shown here with her husband and daughter.
“I found a lump under my arm in November 2011 and finally had a mammogram in March 2013,” says Ellen, who has no family history of breast cancer. Two months later, at age 42, she was diagnosed with cancer in her breast and lymph nodes. “I endured six brutal chemo treatments and surgery,” says Ellen, who credits God, family and friends for helping her fight and survive. She’s shown here with her three kids at the Penn State Pink Game last February.
Meagan said her “amazing mama” was just 36 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. “With a 10-year-old daughter and a thriving business, it threw us all for a loop,” says Meagan. “I’m proud to say this strong woman has been in remission for 13 years. After battling breast cancer, swimming with a shark doesn’t seem so scary.”
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