About one in eight women and one in 726 men will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. These figures affect all women and men, meaning you, your roommate, college professors, lawyer, and even the actors in your favorite film may develop the disease at some point. The only difference is that those with certain risk factors are more prone to breast cancer than others.
Breast Cancer in Numbers
As per the American Cancer Society (ACS), the United States is home to over 3.5 million breast cancer patients and survivors. Among those diagnosed are celebrities, many of whom use their fame to raise awareness about the disease.
Different celebrities have faced different types of breast cancer. The most common include ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive ductal carcinoma, and invasive lobular carcinoma. Rare forms, such as inflammatory breast cancer, make up 1 to 3 percent of all incidences.
Rich or poor, famous or anonymous, this malignancy can affect anyone. However, public figures who have battled it or carry breast cancer genes have louder and more influential voices, playing a role in raising awareness. Their willingness to talk about their experiences can help humanize the issue, breaking down stigma and encouraging others to prioritize their health.
Celebrities Who’ve Had Breast Cancer
By sharing their personal journeys, these celebrities serve as powerful advocates, emphasizing the importance of early detection, regular screenings, and genetic testing. Their stories resonate deeply with audiences, prompting others to pay closer attention to their health and to consider preventive measures.
Here are twelve famous people who’ve spread the word about breast cancer (and survived to tell the tale).
1. Olivia Munn, Actress
In March 2024, Olivia Munn, aged 43, known for her roles in X-Men: Apocalypse, The Newsroom, Magic Mike, and Attack of the Show! revealed that she had been diagnosed with luminal B breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. Munn shared her story to spread awareness about the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool, also called the Gail Model. This tool, which involves answering a series of personal questions (e.g., family history, current age, age during first menstruation, age during first pregnancy and childbirth, etc.), helped her oncologist detect breast cancer early.
Munn’s mammography and genetic testing results showed no issues, but her risk assessment flagged high. It prompted her doctor to order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which detected signs of abnormal cell growth in Munn’s breast. The actress referred to her doctor as her “guardian angel.” Her revelation also brought attention to a screening tool that many women were unaware of.
2. Maggie Smith, Actress
Widely known for her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the blockbuster film series, Harry Potter, Maggie Smith was born on December 28, 1934, in Essex, England. She has made a name for herself in film, television, and on stage, deeming her one of Britain’s most recognized and prolific actresses. As of 2024, Smith has a total of three Golden Globes, two Academy Awards, four Emmy Awards, five BAFTAs, and one Tony Award, making her one of the few actors to earn the Triple Crown of Acting.
In 2007, the Sunday Telegraph reported that the actress was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had to endure it while filming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. She made a full recovery in 2009, but not after undergoing intensive treatment, including chemotherapy.
“I had been feeling a little rum. I didn’t think it was anything serious because, years ago, I felt a lump and it was benign. I assumed this would be too,” recounted the Oscar-winning actress. “I was hairless. I had no problem getting the wig on. I was like a boiled egg,” she revealed, adding that chemotherapy made her feel “horribly sick.”
Smith fought through her disease, finished filming the Harry Potter movies, and remains active in the entertainment industry today. She has not experienced recurrence.
3. Wanda Sykes, Actress and Comedian
Wanda Sykes is an American writer, stand-up comedian, and actress. She garnered high praise for her work on The Chris Rock Show, which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 1999.
The Emmy winner faced an eye-opening moment when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. Her doctors uncovered the malignancy by accident, after undergoing what was essentially a cosmetic procedure—a breast reduction.
“I had real big boobs. I got tired of knocking over stuff. Every time I eat, oh lord, I had to carry a Tide stick everywhere,” Sykes shared. “My back was sore, so it was time to have a reduction.” She continues, “It wasn’t until after the reduction that they found I had DCIS [ductal carcinoma in situ] in my left breast. I was very, very lucky because DCIS is basically stage-zero cancer.”
She was also quick to point out, “I have a lot of breast cancer history on my mother’s side of the family,” which prompted her to get a bilateral mastectomy to minimize the cancer’s likelihood of coming back.
Explaining her choice, she said, “It sounds scary up front, but what do you want? Do you want to wait and not be as fortunate when it comes back and it’s too late?”
Through her openness about her diagnosis and preventive surgery, Sykes became a beacon of inspiration for many facing similar challenges. Her candidness encouraged conversations about breast health and empowered individuals to prioritize screenings and self-examinations. Her story also highlighted the reality that breast cancer can happen to anyone, no matter their age or racial background.
4. Carly Simon, Singer
Carly Simon rose to fame as a singer-songwriter in the 1970s. She was born on June 25, 1945, in New York City. Simon ascended the music charts in the 1970s with mega hits like You’re So Vain, Anticipation, Haven’t Got Time for the Pain, and Nobody Does It Better.
When Simon’s doctors diagnosed her with breast cancer in 1997, she underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. She hoped for more research into the disease and less invasive treatments, as the singer told CNN, “There’s a feeling that if this had been a man’s disease, it would have been licked already.” Her statement reflected the lack of non-invasive treatments in the 20th Century, as well as the unfamiliarity with male breast cancer.
Nonetheless, Simon’s diagnosis did not stop her from pursuing her passion for music, albeit at a more relaxed pace.
More recently, she paid tribute to her sisters, Joanna and Lucy, who died a day apart from each other in October 2020 due to thyroid cancer and metastatic breast cancer, respectively. Simon’s loss reinforces the importance for individuals with a family history of cancer to undergo genetic testing and regular check-ups.
5. Christina Applegate, Actress and Producer
Christina Applegate is a Primetime Emmy Award recipient and a four-time Golden Globe Award nominee. Her career blossomed at 15, when she played Kelly Bundy in the Fox series, Married… With Children, which aired for a decade from 1987 to 1997.
One misconception about breast cancer is that it only affects older women, but it can develop in younger women, too. Applegate was only 36 during her diagnosis in April 2008. She had surgery to remove the malignant tumor.
Unfortunately, she later discovered that she had the BRCA1 gene mutation, which increases her risk of breast and ovarian cancer. She presumably inherited the gene from her mother, who also battled breast cancer. Women and men with a faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene have a higher-than-average likelihood of developing a second cancer, too.
For the above reasons, as well as to protect her own children from losing their mom at a young age, Applegate decided to have both her breasts removed, along with her ovaries and fallopian tubes, to lower her risk. The Hollywood Walk of Fame recipient has since participated in breast cancer awareness movements, helping countless others in the same situation.
In the Netflix series Dead to Me, which earned Applegate a Golden Globe nomination and three Emmy Award nominations, she played Jen Harding, a widow who also had a double mastectomy because of the BRCA1 gene. She said the role was similar to getting therapy; it helped her deal with her past experiences.
6. Sheryl Crow, Singer
In 2006, Sheryl Crow, the renowned singer-songwriter with a catalog of hits including All I Wanna Do and If It Makes You Happy, confronted one of the biggest challenges in her life when she received a diagnosis of DCIS. Crow found herself grappling with the health scare.
Opting for proactive measures, the nine-time Grammy winner had a wide local excision to remove the lump, followed by radiation treatment aimed at reducing the risk of cancer recurrence in the future.
In the documentary Sheryl (2022), Crow revealed that she almost skipped the mammogram that detected a malignant lump in her breast. If she had decided to cancel because of, in her own words, being “too busy,” the cancer would have progressed and become fatal. As such, she has developed a deep passion for sharing her story, so that more people would get a mastectomy.
Crow’s courage and resilience in the face of hardship inspired countless fans worldwide. Her openness about her experiences with breast cancer not only raised awareness but also fostered a sense of solidarity among individuals navigating similar challenges.
7. Peter Criss, Drummer and Vocalist
In 2009, Peter Criss, a member of the rock group Kiss, shared his experience with breast cancer on CNN. He discovered a lump in his left breast two years prior and underwent treatment for the “nightmare” that was cancer.
Today, the rock star actively raises awareness about male breast cancer, emphasizing that men are also vulnerable to the disease. Criss’ story is a reminder that breast cancer is not a woman’s disease—that it does not discriminate based on gender. It also sheds light on the need for better education and awareness to ensure early detection and support for men, especially due to the stigmatization of male breast cancer.
Further reading: Female vs Male Breast Cancers: What’s the Difference?
8. Kylie Minogue, Singer
In 2005, the world was shocked to learn that Kylie Minogue, often hailed as the ‘Princess of Pop’ and the best-selling Australian female artist of all time, had been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36.
Initially, there was confusion surrounding her condition, with Minogue’s doctors saying she did not have cancer. However, a few weeks later, the truth became evident. The Can’t Get You Out of My Head singer underwent lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy treatment to combat the disease. Despite the challenges that clouded her diagnosis and treatment, Minogue won her battle and became cancer-free.
In December 2023, she broke down in tears when CBS News asked about her diagnosis during a live television interview. Although nearly two decades have passed since her diagnosis, she said the memories were “still raw” and that the experience will always “reside within” her.
Since then, Minogue has continued to grace stages worldwide, captivating audiences with her music. Minogue’s journey is a powerful reminder of the indiscriminate nature of cancer and the importance of early detection and treatment.
9. Janice Dickinson, Model and TV Personality
In March 2016, former supermodel and reality TV star Janice Dickinson disclosed to the Daily Mail that she had breast cancer. The discovery came after a doctor detected a pea-sized lump in her right breast. Subsequent tests revealed early-stage ductal carcinoma in situ, a type of breast cancer originating in the milk ducts.
During her physical exam, Dickinson recalled feeling pain in the lump, which got increasingly more painful upon touch. She admitted to feeling scared but channeled the fierce, strong woman that the fashion industry knew her to be, refusing to let fear overcome her. “I’m going to get through this; I’ll be just fine,” she said. According to a 2016 article on People.com, Dickinson underwent eight weeks of radiation therapy and two lumpectomies as part of her treatment.
Dickinson’s medical history includes battles with anorexia, bulimia, alcoholism, and multiple cosmetic surgeries. Her then-fiancé, now-husband, Robert “Rocky” Gerner, MD, noted a change in her demeanor following the diagnosis, observing moments of contemplation and meditation.
10. Richard Roundtree, Actor
Late actor and Legacy Award recipient Richard Roundtree discovered he had male breast cancer in 1993. “The doctor told me, ‘You have breast cancer,'” said Roundtree, who played the lead in the 1971 film, Shaft. “I heard the cancer part first. It was only later that I heard the breast part. I could not believe it.” He was 51 at the time.
Roundtree felt the lump in his chest while shooting a movie in Costa Rica. “It didn’t feel right,” he recalled. “I’m a bit of a hypochondriac, so I decided to get it checked when I was back in Los Angeles.”
Years after his diagnosis and treatment, the actor kept his status as a cancer survivor a secret from the world, as most male breast cancer survivors do due to feelings of shame, isolation, and emasculation.
The actor spilled the beans during a celebrity golf tournament to raise funds for a breast cancer diagnostic unit. “I got up and told everybody that I was a breast cancer survivor. The room was totally silent,” he recalled, laughing. “I think it dawned on people that men can be affected by this, too.” His bravery shined through as he shared his story, bringing to light the often-overlooked issue of male breast cancer.
Roundtree died of pancreatic cancer on October 24, 2023. He was 81.
11. Kathy Bates, Actress
Kathy Bates, a multi-award-winning actress known for her roles in Misery, Primary Colors, The Blind Side, Titanic, Two and a Half Men, and so many other acclaimed movies and shows, faced a dual diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 2003 and breast cancer in 2012. She opted for a double mastectomy to address her cancers and minimize the risk of recurrence.
“By the way, the BRCA gene — I’m sure a lot of you ladies have heard of it — I tested negative and so, it ain’t a get-out-of-jail-free card,” Bates told the audience and viewers during an appearance at The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2019.
12. Cynthia Nixon, Actress and Theater Director
Cynthia Nixon, recognized for her role as Miranda Hobbes in Sex and the City, opted to keep her breast cancer diagnosis private until after treatment. In 2006, she had a lumpectomy followed by six and a half weeks of radiation therapy, as she revealed on Good Morning America.
Nixon, whose birth mom is also a breast cancer survivor like Christina Applegate’s, disclosed that understanding her familial risk “made me more aware and more empowered when I faced my diagnosis.”
The Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning actress is an ambassador for Susan G. Komen, a breast cancer foundation. She helps raise awareness and educate women about the importance of early detection. Through her activism and candor, Nixon is an inspiration to the millions of breast cancer patients and survivors in the United States and the world. She encourages others to prioritize their health and seek support when needed.
The Bottom Line
Early diagnosis is a common factor among the above breast cancer survivors, greatly improving their chances of recovery. Regular breast self-exams, screenings, and genetic testing are crucial to detect breast cancer early and beat it like these celebrities.
If breast cancer occurs, write to New Hope Unlimited or contact us at 480-666-1403 to schedule a consultation. Treatment options for breast cancer have advanced beyond chemotherapy. We offer you more choices, from immunotherapy to other safe and non-toxic approaches.