10 Celebrities Who Survived Cancer

CELEBRITIES WHO
SURVIVED CANCER

Let's take a look at just 10 of the many celebrities who have battled cancer and learn more about how they fought and survived the disease.

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE

Christina Applegate went public about her breast cancer in 2008 after undergoing a double mastectomy. Christina's mom, Nancy Priddy, is a breast cancer survivor. Christina inherited the BRCA1 gene mutation, which often triggers breast cancer, so she opted for the double mastectomy, even though she only had cancer in one breast.

SHARON OSBOURNE

In 2002, Sharon Osbourne (Ozzy's wife) was diagnosed with colon cancer. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes but she survived the disease against a 33% survival prognosis. MTV cameras documented her illness during the filming of The Osbournes in its second season. In 2004, she founded the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars Sinai Hospital.

CYNTHIA NIXON

Cynthia Nixon (Miranda from Sex and the City) was diagnosed with breast canc

er in 2006, after the series had ended. She kept her fight very private, until disclosing her battle on Good Morning America. She has since become an ambassador for Susan G Komen for the Cure.

FRAN DRESCHER

Fran Drescher, best known for her starring role in the TV series The Nanny, was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2000 after two years of symptoms and misdiagnosis by eight doctors. She underwent an immediate radical hysterectomy and has now been cancer-free for 10 years. She wrote about her experience in a book entitled, Cancer Schmancer.

ROBERT DENIRO

Acclaimed actor Robert De Niro was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003 after a regular check-up. DeNiro's full recovery is attributed to early detection and his overall good health. DeNiro kept the details of his treatment and recovery private.

MELISSA ETHERIDGE

In 2004, Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy. The bald Etheridge made her first public appearance after chemo when she belted out Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart" at the 2005 Grammys.

CYBILL SHEPHERD

Actress Cybill Shepherd can tell you all about the dangers of the sun. Shepherd was diagnosed with skin cancer -- melanoma -- back in 2002. Reportedly Shepherd used to bake in the sun a lot as a teenager. Now, she's an advocate for skin cancer awareness and sun protection.

LANCE ARMSTRONG

Lance Armstrong was given just a 2% chance of surviving his testicular cancer back in 1996 because it had spread to his abdomen, brain and lungs. But he not only beat the odds, he continued to win the Tour de France over and over again. Armstrong's ex, Sheryl Crow, is also a cancer survivor -- she had a breast cancer diagnosis back in 2006.

KATHY BATES

Some celebrities choose to keep their cancer battles very private, and that was the case with actress Kathy Bates. Best known for her role in the movie Misery, Bates was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003, but did not reveal her illness to the public until 2009.

SUZANNE SOMERS

Unlike many breast cancer patients who choose chemotherapy, Suzanne Somers choose surgery, radiation and natural and holistic alternative treatments instead. Somers interviewed several doctors and experts about various cancer treatments and used the interviews as the basis of her book, Knockout, about alternative treatments to chemotherapy.