Here are some celebrity cancer survivors

Celebrity Cancer Survivors

Christina Applegate battled breast cancer - and won.

By Carrie Grosvenor

Stories of celebrity cancer survivors can be very encouraging for those going through the stages of cancer and for their families. High profile stars who share their struggles with fans can inspire hope and optimism.

Celebrity Breast Cancer Survivors

Many celebrities, both male and female, have survived battles with breast cancer. According to Cancer.org, 12% of the population, or one in eight people, have had or will experience breast cancer in their lifetimes. It's no surprise, therefore, that the disease has affected so many celebrities. Here are a few of them.

Christina Applegate

Actress Christina Applegate, star of Samantha Who?, announced in the summer of 2008 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The disease runs in her family, so she decided on a very aggressive treatment: a double mastectomy. After reconstructive breast surgery, she is happily cancer free.

Melissa Etheridge

Singer Melissa Etheridge's breast cancer battle began in 2004. Her treatment included chemotherapy and a lumpectomy, in which the tumor and surrounding tissue is removed. In 2005, Etheridge played at the annual Grammy Awards ceremony - a memorable performance because she was still bald as a result of the chemo. She is now free of cancer.

Richard Roundtree

Richard Roundtree is an actor best known for playing the role of John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft. He is living proof that breast cancer does not discriminate and can affect men as well as women. He was diagnosed with the disease in 1993 and fought it with a combination of chemotherapy and double mastectomy surgery. Today, Roundtree is an advocate for early detection of breast cancer and speaks to male groups on the subject.

Other Celebrities Who Have Survived Breast Cancer

There are many more famous faces who have battled and won against breast cancer. They include:

• Actress Edie Falco
• Singer Anastacia
• Actress Lynn Redgrave
• Former Charlie's Angels stars Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson
• Actress and spokesmodel Suzanne Sommers
• Musician Sheryl Crow
• Actress Rue McClanahan
• Fashion designer Betsy Johnson
• Former First Lady Nancy Reagan
• Singer Kylie Minogue
• Singer Carly Simon
• Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
• Champion figure skater Peggy Flemming

Other Celebrity Cancer Survivors

Of course, there are many more types of cancer besides breast cancer and many more celebrities who have battled them and emerged victorious. What most survivors have in common is early detection and treatment.

Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong is one of the most well-known celebrity cancer survivors, due to his tireless efforts to raise funds and awareness for the disease. Armstrong is a cyclist who has won the Tour de France seven times. He has battled testicular cancer, which spread to his lungs and brain in 1996. Despite the severity of his illness, he recovered after an aggressive series of treatments, including several surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy.

Sharon Osbourne

Sharon Osbourne, wife of heavy metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne, battled colon cancer in 1992. The cancer spread to her lymph nodes and for a long time it looked as if she wouldn't make it. Despite having the odds against her, Osbourne beat the disease and has since spent much of her time and energy raising awareness and helping other cancer patients. The Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program helps patients in a number of ways, including in-home care and transportation to and from the hospital.

Robert DeNiro

Actor Robert DeNiro, who is perhaps one of the best-known actors in Hollywood, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003. His cancer was detected early; since his dad dies at the age of 73 as a result of cancer, DeNiro has been proactive in getting regular checkups. After surgery, DeNiro was happy to announce that he is now cancer free.

More Famous Cancer Survivors

There are hundreds of other celebrities who have survived cancer, including:

• Actress Farrah Fawcett
• Singer Rod Stewart
• TV and radio personality Tom Green
• Actress Cybill Shepherd
• Singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem
• Actress Elizabeth Taylor
• Actress Fran Drescher
• Former South African President Nelson Mandela
• Former U.S. Presidential candidate John McCain

Shared Stories of Hope

Celebrities who share their stories of how they battled cancer and won are often inspirational to those who are suffering from the disease themselves. After their recoveries, many stars decide to use their fame to raise awareness for the disease, encourage people to seek treatment and organize fundraisers to help find a cure.