Olivia Munn & More Celebrity Women Who Have Had Breast Cancer: Photos

By:

Farrah Julin, Sabrina Picou

September 28, 2017 2:24PM EDT

There’s nothing more terrifying than battling breast cancer. Almost 13 percent of all women in the United States will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives, according to the National Cancer Institute. Many famous women have opened up about their experiences with breast cancer, and many have used their star power to try to help raise awareness and inspire other women who may be struggling with it.

Scroll through our gallery to check out photos of other stars who have battled breast cancer.

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Olivia Munn

Olivia Munn — In March 2024, Olivia revealed that she had been diagnosed with luminal B breast cancer in 2023 and chose to refrain from sharing the news for a year.

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Sarah Ferguson

Sarah Ferguson — Sarah Ferguson’s rep confirmed that she was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and underwent surgery in a statement on June 25, 2023. The 63-year-old’s diagnosis was made after a regular mammogram screening.

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Guerdy Abraira

Guerdy Abraira — ‘Real Housewives of Miami’ star Guerdy Abraira announced her breast cancer diagnosis. She said she has a surgery coming up and vowed to fight hard.

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Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty — Actress Shannen Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, however, it went into remission two years later. Later, in 2020, she revealed that her cancer returned and had spread, in addition to being stage four cancer. Most recently, on Jun. 7, 2023, Shannen revealed that her cancer has now spread to her brain and she is undergoing treatments.

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Melissa Etheridge

Melissa Etheridge — Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and was able to beat the cancer one year later. The singer underwent chemotherapy in order to treat her illness.

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Edie Falco

Edie Falco — ‘Nurse Jackie’ alum Edie Falco was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 amid filming Season 3 of ‘The Sopranos.’ She went into remission in the spring of 2004. “I had eight months of treatment, and in the spring of 2004, when I was given a clean bill of health, I had one of those moments of clarity where all questions and debates just fall away. The direction was clear: I didn’t have to wait for the right man, or to be more ready, or to have more money or a bigger apartment. It was time for me to start a family on my own,” she wrote via Oprah.com at the time.

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Andrea Mitchell

Andrea Mitchell — Andrea Mitchell revealed that she had breast cancer in 2011. “Mine was discovered during my annual screening just a short time ago,” she told NBC at the time. “Luckily for me, I am one of the fortunate ones; we discovered it in the earliest stage, it hadn’t spread, and I’m already back at work with a terrific prognosis.”

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Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon — ‘Sex and The City’ alum Cynthia Nixon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and underwent a lumpectomy and several weeks of radiation therapy. Her mother is also a breast cancer survivor.

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Carly Simon

Carly Simon — Carly Simon was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, per CNN. Her sister, Joanna and Lucy, sadly died from cancer.

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Jaclyn Smith

Jaclyn Smith — Jaclyn Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer over two decades ago in 2003. “I think when you hear [you have cancer], you realize how precious life is,” she told Survivor.net. “And hey, I’m not just gonna sit back and do nothing. Let me enjoy this moment.”

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Rita Wilson

Rita Wilson — Rita Wilson, who is married to actor Tom Hanks, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy in order to treat her illness. She noted to PEOPLE that, she caught it “early” and got a “second opinion.”

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Janice Dickinson

Janice Dickinson — Model Janice Dickinson was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. “There was no self-pity, but I worried about leaving my family,” she told PEOPLE at the time. “I worried I wasn’t going be attractive to my amazing and supportive fiancé, [Dr. Robert “Rocky” Gerner].” She underwent two months of radiation and two lumpectomies.

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Julia Louis-Dreyfus — Seinfeld and Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus was one star who conquered her battle with breast cancer. The actress revealed that she was diagnosed with the disease in September 2017 with a heartbreaking letter. “The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union,” she wrote at the time, while trying to encourage others to fight for the less fortunate. “The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let’s fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality.” Thankfully Julia’s treatment was a success, and a year later, she was cancer-free.

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Katie Couric

Katie Couric — Katie Couric revealed she has breast cancer in a powerful essay on September 28, 2022. She found out her diagnosis on June 21, 2022, the day of her 8th wedding anniversary.

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Clea Shearer

Clea Shearer — Clea Shearer arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, CA. She has been open about her health battle with breast cancer.

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Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow — Singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. She said that surviving “redefined who and how I am” in an interview with The Guardian.

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Christina Applegate

Christina Applegate — Christina Applegate was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer in 2008, according to SurvivorNet. She underwent a double masectomy to battle it.

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Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John — Olivia Newton-John is actually a three-time cancer survivor. She’s incredibly grateful to have been successfully treated, as she told HollywoodLife in an exclusive 2020 interview. “I think I’m extremely lucky. I’m very lucky that I’m well. I don’t take that for granted at all,” she said.

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Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue — Kylie Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. She even had to postpone a tour, while she received treatment.

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Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates — Kathy Bates received a double masectomy to treat breast cancer in 2012. She had previously battled ovarian cancer in 2003.

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Giuliana Rancic

Giuliana Rancic — E! News anchor Giuliana Rancic was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 36 in 2011. She chronicled her battle in her memoir Going Off Script.

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Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts — Robin Roberts has been incredibly open about her health. She announced she was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer, while on Good Morning America in 2007.

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Suzanne Somers

Suzanne Somers — Three’s Company star Suzanne Somers was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. Treatment inspired her to change her diet and exercise habits, she told Yahoo News in 2018.

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Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes — Comedy legend Wanda Sykes revealed that she had breast cancer during a 2011 appearance on Ellen. She said that the cancer was discovered when she got a breast reduction.

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