Strong and Courageous: Celebrity Breast Cancer Survivors

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're paying tribute to some of the celebrities who've fought the disease in a very public way. We applaud both the courage of these women and the efforts they have made in speaking out for the cause.

— Additional reporting by Emily Bibb

Joan Lunden
Getty | Paul Morigi

Joan Lunden

Former Good Morning America host Joan Lunden was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer this past June. She has been outspoken about her diagnosis, discussing it on-air and even shooting the cover of People after losing her hair.

Jane Fonda
Getty | Steve Granitz

Jane Fonda

Actress and fitness guru Jane Fonda was diagnosed with a noninvasive cancer after having a lump removed in 2010. She is now cancer-free.

Kim Gordon
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Kim Gordon

After separating from her husband and Sonic Youth bandmate Thurston Moore in 2011, Kim Gordon was diagnosed with noninvasive breast cancer. She was treated with a lumpectomy and is now back to performing.

Hoda Kotb
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Hoda Kotb

At 43, Today show anchor Hoda Kotb was diagnosed with breast cancer and endured a very public battle. She let Today show cameras follow her every step of the way — from her mastectomy, treatment, and reconstructive surgery. After she announced she was cancer-free, the Today show aired her very public journey.

Robin Roberts
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Robin Roberts

Good Morning America cohost Robin Roberts was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, emphasizing the importance of doing self breast exams and attending regular doctor visits. Although she beat breast cancer, she was diagnosed earlier this year with a rare blood disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome and is currently undergoing treatment.

Sheryl Crow
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Sheryl Crow

In 2006, Sheryl Crow was diagnosed with cancer just weeks after splitting from fiancé and fellow survivor Lance Armstrong. The 47-year-old singer underwent minimally invasive surgery to treat the disease but has recently been diagnosed with a benign brain tumor.

Suzanne Somers
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Suzanne Somers

Suzanne Somers went public about her battle with breast cancer on Larry King Live in 2001. Somers underwent a lumpectomy to remove the cancer followed by radiation therapy but sparked controversy for choosing alternative medicine over chemotherapy.

Jaclyn Smith
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Jaclyn Smith

Charlie's Angels actress Jaclyn Smith underwent a lumpectomy and radiation to treat her cancer in 2002.

Dame Maggie Smith
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Dame Maggie Smith

Dame Maggie Smith underwent intensive chemotherapy treatments in 2008 to battle her breast cancer.

Kathy Bates
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Kathy Bates

Recently diagnosed with breast cancer, actress Kathy Bates underwent a double mastectomy this past September. Keeping a positive attitude is how Bates plans on beating her second cancer diagnosis — she beat ovarian cancer nearly a decade ago.

Betsey Johnson
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Betsey Johnson

After one of Betsey Johnson's saline breast implants deflated in 2002, the fashion designer had both implants removed, which led to the discovery of a small lump in her breast. Keeping the news a secret from everyone but her daughter, Betsey underwent radiation therapy and a lumpectomy to remove the cancer.

Diahann Carroll
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Diahann Carroll

Former Grey's Anatomy star Diahann Carroll was diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 60s in 1998. Ten years later, she released a comedic bestselling book about her battle with breast cancer.

Olivia Newton-John
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Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John's diagnosis came in 1992, and after debating going the holistic route, she went with chemotherapy and a mastectomy to fight the disease.

Giuliana Rancic
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Giuliana Rancic

While attempting to get pregnant, Giuliana Rancic was diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram appointment. In December 2011, she underwent a successful double mastectomy and has recently become a mother!

Martina Navratilova
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Martina Navratilova

In early 2010, tennis champion Martina Navratilova was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer. After six weeks of radiation therapy, Martina happily reported in late September that she is cancer-free.

Kate Jackson
WireImage

Kate Jackson

After detecting breast cancer during a mammogram in 1987, Charlie's Angels alum Kate Jackson underwent a lumpectomy and radiation treatments. Two years later, when a recurrence was detected, Jackson underwent a partial mastectomy. The cancer has been in remission ever since.

Maura Tierney
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Maura Tierney

After feeling a lump in her breast during a self-examination, Maura Tierney learned from doctors that she had an aggressive form of the disease. Fighting it became her number one priority, leading her to drop out of NBC's Parenthood. After undergoing surgery and chemo, Maura reported being cancer-free in early 2010.

Wanda Sykes
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Wanda Sykes

During a September 2011 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Wanda Sykes revealed that earlier that year, she underwent a bilateral mastectomy after doctors found DCIS in her left breast (a form of stage-zero breast cancer).