Breast cancer affects one in eight women, and the diagnosis is often life-altering for both patients and their loved ones. While fame does not shelter anyone from breast cancer, it certainly brings attention and gives voice to an issue that many find difficult to put into words. Whether you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, or know someone who has, know that there are countless who have been in your situation. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here are words of encouragement, wisdom, and hope from celebrities who’ve beaten breast cancer.
“Having had cancer, one important thing to know is you’re still the same person at the end, you are the same person during it. You’re stripped down to near zero. But it seems that most people come out at the other end feeling more like themselves than ever before.” –Kylie Minogue
“I made my decision because I love life and I know I’m blessed…My scars? I barely see them. I feel whole; I really do. Because every day, I get to say, “There’s no cancer.” I’m healthy, and that’s beautiful.” – Wanda Sykes on having a mastectomy
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. So the only thing to really be afraid of is if you don’t get your mammograms.” – Cynthia Nixon
“When you get diagnosed with cancer, there’s such a sense of loneliness, but we need to know as people going through this is that you’re not alone”. – Christina Applegate
“The cancer served a real purpose, making me a little bit more conscious of time.” – Gloria Steinem
“I’ve changed my lifestyle….I have taken what I consider poisonous things out of my life. Out of my food, out of my work, out of my social circle, out of everything. Because I want a clean, cancer-free life. And I believe I can have that.” – Melissa Etheridge
“I think encouragement always goes a long way…It is so scary … but having the positive support of loved ones is invaluable.”– Sheryl Crow
“I feel stronger and more vital than ever. I’ve always thought of myself as a warrior. When you actually have a battle, it’s better than when you don’t know who to fight.” – Carly Simon
“Cancer survivors are blessed with two lives. There is your life before cancer, and your life after. I am here to tell you your second life is going to be so much better than the first.” – Hoda Kotb
“Yes, I am living with cancer. But don’t go ‘woe is me.’ I don’t want it. Don’t need it. I’m still in the game. I don’t want to say ‘survivor.’ I want to thrive.” – Robin Roberts
