Celebrities with Breast Cancer
Several celebrities have publicly shared their experiences of receiving breast cancer diagnoses to raise awareness about early detection and promote cancer research. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosedTrusted Source cancer in the world. About 2.3 millionTrusted Source women received diagnoses in 2022.
The earlier doctors can detect breast cancer, the more treatment options may be available. That’s partly why the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently updated its guidance to advise getting a mammogram every other year starting at 40 years old (check the guideline year and talk with your doctor about what’s right for you).
Screening recommendations can vary depending on personal risk factors — including family history, known gene mutations (like BRCA), dense breasts, or prior radiation — so discuss your individual risk with a clinician who can advise when to start mammograms or whether supplemental imaging such as an ultrasound or MRI is appropriate.
Below are 14 well-known people — Celebrities with Breast Cancer — who’ve shared their diagnosis and treatment journeys. Read their experiences for lessons about screening, genetic testing, treatment choices (lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation), and life after diagnosis.
Key takeaways: Early detection improves options; tell your doctor about any family history; ask whether genetic testing or earlier/more frequent mammograms make sense for you; and seek support resources if you’re diagnosed.
1. Mary J. Blige
Advocate: Mary J. Blige — spotlighting disparities in research and care. Singer and actress Mary J. Blige has used her platform to highlight how breast cancer affects different groups of women and to push for increased research that includes Black women.
In 2021, Blige teamed up with the Black Women’s Health Imperative and experts to discuss factors that contribute to the increased deathsTrusted Source among Black women with breast cancer, even though incidence rates can differ by race.
Their panel identified several barriers that affect outcomes, including:
- medical distrust stemming from negative experiences with doctors
- limited access to high-quality care in some communities
- screening guidelines based on research that has historically underrepresented Black women
Blige has also been candid about when she first learned about mammograms: “I didn’t know about breast cancer or mammograms until I was 40,” she said — a reminder that awareness and access matter. If you have concerns about your risk or access to screening, talk with your doctor about next steps.
2. Christina Applegate
Detection + genetics: Christina Applegate — dense breasts and BRCA1. Actress Christina Applegate was diagnosed in 2008 at age 36, after an MRI was ordered because mammograms can be less sensitive in people with dense breast tissue.
An MRI — an imaging test that often detects changes not seen on a mammogram — led to further evaluation and genetic testing that revealed she carried the BRCA1 mutation, which is associated with a higher breast cancer risk (source).
Because of that increased risk, Applegate chose to have a double mastectomy as a preventive and therapeutic step. She has since advocated for better access to MRIs and genetic counseling. If you have a strong family history of breast cancer, ask your doctor about genetic testing and whether earlier or supplemental screening is appropriate.
Applegate later spoke about the emotional impact of surgery and body image, noting the importance of open conversations about the physical and psychological effects of treatment.
3. Olivia Munn
Screening pathway: Olivia Munn — mammogram to MRI to biopsy. In 2024, Olivia Munn revealed she’d received a breast cancer diagnosis the year before. Her case shows a common diagnostic sequence: a screening mammogram followed by targeted MRI, ultrasound, and biopsy when additional evaluation is needed.
A mammogram is an X-ray exam of the breast used for screening; an MRI provides higher-detail images in certain high-risk or dense-breast cases; ultrasound helps evaluate specific areas of concern; and a biopsy removes tissue for diagnosis. Within about a month of diagnosis, Munn underwent a bilateral mastectomy and has urged others to discuss personal risk with their doctors.
4. Katie Couric
Public voice: Katie Couric — using visibility to promote early detection. Katie Couric revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in a 2022 personal essay at age 65 and has continued to use her profile to encourage screening and awareness.
Couric, who has experienced cancer in her family, has said she wants to be a “walking advertisement” for screening. Her advocacy underscores a simple message: talk to your doctor about screening and know your personal risk — screening saves lives when used appropriately.
5. Cynthia Nixon
Don’t delay screening: “Get your mammograms and don’t delay,” says Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon. She was diagnosed in 2002 and initially had a lumpectomy (tissue-sparing surgery) followed by radiation before publicly sharing her diagnosis and later becoming an ambassador for the Susan G. Komen foundation.
Why this matters: a lumpectomy removes the tumor while preserving most of the breast; radiation is commonly used afterward to lower the chance of recurrence. Nixon’s story also highlights family history — her mother is a survivor — so tell your doctor if breast cancer runs in your family.
6. Kylie Minogue
Trust your instincts: Australian pop star Kylie Minogue was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in 2005 at age 39 after an initial clearance she later described as a misdiagnosis. Her experience reminds people that second opinions and follow-up testing matter if symptoms persist.
What to know: after diagnosis Minogue had surgery and began chemotherapy. Even after successful treatment and remission, many survivors report long-term emotional effects: “It’s trauma, and any trauma resides within you,” she told People in 2023. If you feel something is off, ask for additional imaging or a second opinion — imaging, biopsy, and pathology are the definitive ways to confirm a diagnosis.
7. Julia Louis-Dreyfus
From announcement to advocacy: In September 2017, actress Julia Louis‑Dreyfus publicly shared her diagnosis on Twitter, writing, “1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today, I’m the one.” She underwent a double mastectomy and six rounds of chemotherapy and is now in remission.
Why it matters: Louis‑Dreyfus’s candor helped normalize conversation about diagnosis and treatment and encouraged early detection. Survivorship often changes priorities and outlook — she has said it made her appreciate life more. If you’re diagnosed, ask your care team about treatment options and long-term follow-up care.
8. Sheryl Crow
Almost skipped screening: Grammy-winning musician Sheryl Crow was diagnosed in 2006 after nearly skipping the mammogram that detected her cancer. She’s since emphasized the importance of early detection and advocating for yourself with medical providers.
Takeaway: a routine mammogram can be the difference between early-stage diagnosis and a later, more advanced stage. Crow has used documentaries and op-eds to encourage women to be proactive about preventive health screenings.
9. Carly Simon
Persistent symptoms matter: After years of being told lumps were nothing to worry about, U.S. singer Carly Simon ultimately had them removed and they were found to be cancerous. She underwent chemotherapy and later reconstructive surgery, describing how the experience changed her physically and emotionally.
What to learn: if you notice persistent changes in your breasts or if symptoms continue despite reassurance, ask your doctor about further evaluation — clinical exam, imaging, or biopsy can determine whether tissue should be removed and tested.
10. Gloria Steinem
Advocacy after diagnosis: Women’s rights activist Gloria Steinem was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986 and had a lumpectomy. She later used her voice to encourage regular screening and greater awareness about breast health.
Why it matters: lumpectomy (removal of the tumor while sparing most breast tissue) plus radiation is a common treatment for early-stage breast cancer. Steinem’s long-term public work highlights how survivorship can blend with continued activism and education.
She continues to write and speak; her memoir My Life on the Road (Random House) appeared in 2016.
11. Robin Roberts
Treatment side effects and long-term care: After a partial mastectomy and chemotherapy in 2007, news anchor Robin Roberts developed myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare blood condition linked in some cases to prior cancer treatment.
What to know: some cancer therapies increase risk for later health issues, so long-term monitoring is essential. Roberts has been open about the emotional and practical challenges of survivorship, saying in 2012 that cancer made her more patient and present with others.
13. Kathy Bates
Managing long-term effects: Actress Kathy Bates was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2012 and chose a double mastectomy. She later developed lymphedema — swelling in the arms or legs that can follow surgery or radiation — and has worked to manage it with physical therapy and lifestyle changes.
Practical next steps: if you undergo surgery or radiation, ask your care team about lymphedema prevention and management, including compression, exercise, and referral to specialized therapists. Bates now serves as a national spokeswoman for the Lymphatic Education and Research Network to raise awareness.
13. Wanda Sykes
Privacy and choice: Actress and comedian Wanda Sykes was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in her left breast in 2011 and ultimately chose a double mastectomy. While she has been open about her experience, she also spoke about initial hesitation to be a public face for everything, acknowledging the intersection of race, sexual orientation, and public identity in deciding how much to share.
Why this matters: surgical choices such as mastectomy are deeply personal and depend on stage, risk factors, and patient preferences. If you’re facing treatment decisions, ask your surgeon and oncologist about the benefits, risks, reconstruction options, and expected recovery.
14. Tig Notaro
Honesty on stage: Comedian Tig Notaro became widely known in 2012 for a stand-up set in which she told an audience about her breast cancer diagnosis the same day she received it — an unvarnished, immediate way of sharing a life-changing diagnosis.
Notaro’s choice to go public that day led to a documentary, “Tig,” released in 2015, which follows her decision to share the experience and the aftermath. Her story underscores that people respond differently to diagnosis — some find sharing cathartic and community-building; others prefer privacy. There’s no single right way to cope.
Takeaways and resources: If you or a loved one receives a breast cancer diagnosis, talk with your doctor about your personal risk and treatment options, including genetic testing if there’s a family history. For reliable information and support, consider resources such as the CDC, the National Cancer Institute, Susan G. Komen, or organizations focused on health equity like the Black Women’s Health Imperative. Reach out to local support groups or patient navigators to help with appointments, treatment planning, and emotional support.
Final call to action: speak with your doctor about when to start screening, whether you need additional tests such as ultrasound or MRI, and whether genetic counseling is appropriate. Early detection and informed decisions about surgery, therapy, and follow-up care give the best chance for positive outcomes.
