20 Inspiring Celebrities Who Refused to Let Their Cancer Battles Define Them

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, the BH90210 star's life completely changed. She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation, but she's now in remission. In August 2019, she told People, "I'm lucky to be alive every minute, every second of the day."

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Known for her extrovert personality and showy outfits, designer Betsey Johnson took a more reserved route when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 57 in 1999. The designer told no one except her daughter, Lulu. Johnson is now open about her survivorship and is a voice for the cancer community.

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Good Morning America’s co-anchor, Robin Roberts, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Then, in 2012, she had a blood disorder diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome, which required a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy. Today she is thriving.

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In 2016, the famed Zoolander actor revealed that he survived prostate cancer. Stiller was diagnosed in June 2014 when he was 48 and told Today he is "really fortunate that my course of treatment was basically an operation and that was it.”

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In 2010, the TV news journalist fought a very public battle with breast cancer. She juggled cancer treatment, a divorce, and a new job as Kathie Lee’s co-anchor on the Today show. You can read all about her journey in her autobiography, How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer and Kathie Lee. She's now co-hosting her Today segment with Jenna Bush Hager and is raising two daughters with boyfriend Joel Schiffman.

Actress, Fran Drescher, best known for her sitcom The Nanny was diagnosed with uterine cancer (adenocarcinoma) in 2000 after two years of misdiagnoses. Thankfully, she persisted and, after being diagnosed, underwent an immediate hysterectomy. She later wrote the book, Cancer Schmancer in 2002 about her journey.

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At age 40, Colin Powell was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He opted for the radical prostatectomy (a procedure that removes the entire prostate gland) as opposed to radiation to lower the chances of recurrence. Powell didn’t make his surgery public until the morning of the procedure, but is now a vocal advocate.

You may know her from her cheeky comments on Sex and the City, but you may not know that this leading lady beat breast cancer in 2006. As an empowered activist, Nixon was the Susan G. Komen spokeswoman for the Cure Foundation in 2008 and continues to be an advocate for women’s health.

After a breast reduction surgery, Wanda Sykes’ lab work discovered that she had stage-zero breast cancer. Although she was lucky to find her cancer early, she made the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy and have both breasts removed to stay on the safe side.

Christina Applegate’s life took a serious turn when she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer at 36 years old. When tests revealed she had the BRCA gene, she made the life-changing decision to have a bilateral mastectomy in 2008.

The former E! host’s life came to a halt when she was diagnosed in September 2011 with breast cancer. The media star proceeded to have a double mastectomy after an unsuccessful lumpectomy, and is fortunately doing well.

Robert De Niro was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer in 2003 at age 60. While the treatment he underwent is unknown, the actor is doing well.

Gloria Steinem found a lump in her breast that was diagnosed as malignant in 1986. Today, this feminist is 85 years old, and still fighting for what she believes in.

The X-Men star had his sixth basal cell carcinoma (a common form of skin cancer) removed in February 2017. Jackman took to Twitter to convey his gratitude as well as a stern warning wear sunscreen.

Jane Fonda opened up about her recent cancer scare in January 2018 after she had a cancerous growth removed from her lower lip. This wasn’t the first time the star faced the disease. Fonda was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, and had a mastectomy in 2016.

The American radio personality revealed that she battled endometrial cancer after receiving treatment in 2013. The star went through surgery and chemotherapy, and is in remission.

In 1996, former professional cyclist, Lance Armstrong, had an aggressive form of testicular cancer that frighteningly spread to his lungs, lymph nodes, and brain. He blazed through his treatment, just like he did during his cycling races, and not only beat cancer, but returned to cycling, winning the Tour de France seven consecutive times. Unfortunately, he was stripped of his winning titles after he was found guilty of doping.

The TV-personality didn’t let colon cancer slow her down when she was diagnosed in 2002. The media star was an open book about her cancer story and documented her journey on her family’s reality show, The Osbournes.

Defying all odds, Kathy Bates not only survived ovarian cancer, but breast cancer as well. Bates is currently an ambassador for the Lymphatic Education & Research Network in the fight against lymphedema — a painful surgical side effect that she endured post-treatment.

In 2006, the country singer was diagnosed with breast cancer at 44 years old. Today, Crow is healthy and (in addition to her rockstar-day-job) is an inspiring advocate for women’s health, consistently urging women to be proactive about annual mammograms.