Celebrities with Breast Cancer Who Are Making a Difference

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month but for many of the celebrities with breast cancer, everyday is an opportunity to remind men and women that breast cancer can affect anybody. There have been many celebrities who have been diagnosed with breast cancer that are making a difference. They are not simply sitting back and letting it take over their lives, but instead are promoting breast cancer awareness and helping others fight this disease. Here are just some of the celebrities with breast cancer who are currently fighting the disease or have already fought and how they are making a difference for others.

Sheryl Crow
The singer was diagnosed in 2006 at the age of 44. She was able to catch her breast cancer early enough from doing regular mammograms that she was able to avoid having to do any chemotherapy treatment. She had surgery to remove the cancer and then had 7 weeks of radiation along with practicing acupuncture. In 2007, Crow petitioned Congress to fund breast cancer research that looks at links between getting this type of cancer and different environmental factors. Sheryl also participates in many different breast cancer events and has been to several cities for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Jaclyn Smith
The former Charlie's Angels actress was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 when she was 56 years old. Jaclyn was able to treat her cancer with a lumpectonomy and radiation. She went on to become one of the most active celebrities with breast cancer in the Susan G. Komen foundation. She also speaks at public functions about knowing the risks factors for breast cancer as a part of the Strength in Knowing program.

Robin Roberts
The Good Morning America was diagnosed in 2007 at the age of 46 and since then she has done nothing but try to promote breast cancer awareness. Robin has said that she found a lump herself while doing a self-breast exam and that is how she was diagnosed with the disease. She completed eight rounds of chemotherapy followed by radiation treatment. She is back on Good Morning America and uses the show to promote breast cancer awareness whenever possible. She has done such things as walked in a fashion show without her wig on to show people it's okay to be a survivor and has interviewed other real women who have fought breast cancer.

Christina Applegate
The actress was one of the most recent celebrities to be diagnosed with breast cancer. She was only 35 when she was diagnosed in 2008. Even though breast cancer was only found in one of her breast, Christina opted to have both of her breasts removed since she did test positive for the BRCA-1 breast cancer gene. Her mother is also survived breast cancer. The actress plans on launching a foundation for women who are at high-risk for breast cancer to be able to get MRI testing if they are unable to afford it. She has also talked openly about her breast cancer on television shows and with magazines and has done several charity events.

Kylie Minogue
Kylie was only 36 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. Kylie is one of the celebrities with breast cancer that advocates a second opinion. She was actually misdiagnosed to begin with and this almost cost Kylie her life. Upon completion of a second round of test, the doctors found a lump in her left breast, which was quickly removed with a partial masectonomy. It was followed up with several weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. The singer has gone on several talk shows to promote breast cancer awareness and also participates in breast cancer events.

Some other celebrities with breast cancer who have made difference when it comes to breast cancer awareness are:
Cynthia Nixon
Melissa Etheridge
Diahann Carroll
Olivia Newton John
Suzanne Somers
Anastacia
Kate Jackson
Betsey Johnson
Hoda Kotb
Lynn Redgrave

Breast cancer awareness is so important. As you can see everyone is affected by this disease and women and men need to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms and also early detection of breast cancer.

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/slideshow/health/2009/07/24/celebrities-survived-breast-cancer