Cancer is a very lethal disease just hearing its name makes an icy chill that run down the spine. A disease which is life threatening and no one would ever think to suffer from such disease and the same they would wish for their enemies too. Yes, it’s a terrible disease that is rapidly affecting the people all over the world without any discrimination of age groups. A really pathetic disease with miserable side effects but the advance technology and early detection of the disease make it a treatable disease. Different procedures are involved in its treatment like chemotherapy, advanced radiotherapy and surgery, all these have enlighten the people with hope who capitulate to this disease.
Many of the celebrities suffered from this disease and many of them faced this disease bravely, fought it with courage and entrenched as survivors. Their survival is not only their victory but also their families and an inspiration for the people suffering from this disease. Here is the list of 10 famous celebrities who beat cancer, they suffered from this lethal disease and survived, and with their courage they defeated this disease. Their stories give hope to million of people suffering from this disease.
10. Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Osbourne is a TV host, businesswoman, author and music promoter, she is the wife of musician Ozzy Osbourne. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2002 during the filming of a reality show of MTV. The cancer was spread to her lymph nodes and by intensive cancer treatment she survived with only 33% survival prognosis. Sharon Osbourne recovered after chemotherapy and undergoing minor surgery. In 2003, she was the guest of honour at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s Fall Gala, where she discussed about her battle against cancer. In 2004, she constructed the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars Sinai Hospital, she made a campaign for cancer awareness and she is still working on it in her job as co host on The Talk.
9. Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro is an American actor, producer and director, he was diagnosed with prostrate cancer at the age of 60 in 2003, which is the second commonest cancer after skin cancer among men in the United States of America. He is known for his tough roles in different films including Raging Bull and Taxi Driver, he is an Oscar Award winner did not let his spirit down and battled the fight against cancer and has been in about 400 movies since then. Luckily, because of his regular examinations to doctor, his cancer was diagnosed at an early stage and was treated to full recovery. He was nominated six times for Oscar Awards and he had to cope various treatment sessions after which he emerged as a cancer survivor a winner. He revealed very few details about his treatment and recovery.
8. Lance Armstrong
Lance Edward Armstrong is an American road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France record consecutive seven times. He was diagnosed with third stage of testicular cancer in 1996, at the age of 25 years. It was an aggressive stage of cancer, the cancer cells metastasized to the brain, lungs and abdomen.On his first appointment to doctor he had swollen testicle with blood in sputum on coughing, immediate chemotherapy and surgery saved his life, he had two surgeries one to remove his cancerous testicle while other to remove two diseases lesions in brain. He underwent four courses of chemotherapy, over a period of three months.According to his doctors after surgery he had less than forty percent survival ratio, but he did not loose hope and keep his spirit high. He selected an alternative chemotherapy regimen for treatment and this choice may have saved his cycling career.He was declared cancer free in February, 1997. In the same year he founded Lance Armstrong foundation now named as Livestrong Foundation for cancer research and helping cancerous patients.He is not only renowned for consecutive seven victories but also for his remarkable battle against life threatening cancer. In his interview, he declared that he is prouder of his cancer victory than all of his racing victories.
7. Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh is a famous Indian cricketer; he is an aggressive left handed batsman who was diagnosed with cancer in year 2011. He was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer and his condition was called mediastinal seminoma which is a germ cell tumor that was located between his two lungs. He went to Indianapolis for his treatment where he received chemotherapy sessions. He is very renowned celebrity for cricket fans and when he was diagnosed with cancer, his fans all over the world were in shocked and deeply prayed for his recovery. Although it was unbelievable for this young player but nothing could pull his spirit down, he fought bravely against this lethal disease and emerged out as a winner. Now he is cancer free, he has recovered and back to his career with more courage. Throughout his treatment he was inspired by Lance Armstrong who is also a cancer survivor. After his victorious return he expressed his wish to inspire and motivate the sufferers of this disease. He has written his autobiography with the title “The Test of My Life: From Cricket to Cancer and Back”.
6. Christina Applegate
One of the famous celebrities that beat cancer is Christina Applegate, she is an American actress and was detected with breast cancer at the age of only 36 years, in August 2008. Many people believe that the risk of breast cancer is only in older females, but it is not always true. Christina Applegate cancer diagnosis at the age of 36 is a perfect example. She had an early diagnosis of breast cancer through MRI and as the cancer was not so much aggressive, she recovered successfully. She has inherited BRCA1 gene mutation that provokes breast cancer. Her mother Nancy Priddy is also a breast cancer survivor. She was declared cancer free at the mid of August after underwent double mastectomy, she said that after hearing about cancer she was shocked and immediately work upon it including adapting a more healthy diet . She got married and has a baby girl too. After her diagnosis of cancer and treatment, she participated enthusiastically in breast cancer awareness programs. She founded a charitable foundation, Right Action for Women which is dedicated to screening of breast cancer and emphasized on the type of MRI scan that played a fundamental role in saving her life.
5. Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue is a multi talented Australian celebrity; she is a singer, actress, record artist and songwriter. She is also known as Kylie who was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2005, at the age of 36 years that made her to postpone her current programs. She had to undergo surgeries and chemotherapy for duration of eight months. As being misdiagnosed earlier, the cancer became more aggressive. Apart from medical treatment, she also used substitute methods like nutrition, Reiki, visualization pattern etc in order to defeat the disease. Although it was a very tough time for her but she did not give up. She openly spoke about her illness, treatment and recovery and she was acknowledged for her this act. She is an idol for all the women who make themselves aware of this disease and also have regular examinations, even doctors said that it ‘Kylie effect’. She is an enthusiastic ambassador and sponsor to the cause. She organized a breast cancer campaign in May, 2010 for the first time and after defeating cancer, in 2010, she commemorated her fifth anniversary of being free of cancer by hosting a charity show to boost up money for cancer
4. Tom Green
Tom Green is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer, talk show host and media personality. He is the host of the Tom Green show of the MTV. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in the early 2000. He underwent surgeries to remove his right testicle and lymph nodes removal and he was successfully treated. According to his doctors his cancer was curable and he had good prognosis. Few months after this great comedian was back to his crazy antics. During his treatment he was preparing one hour special MTV show to raise the awareness of this disease that commonly targets young men. The show was named as Tom Green Cancer Special which recorded the time leading up to his surgery as well as included the graphic footage of his own surgery of cancer. He also started “Tom Green’s Nuts Cancer Fund” to increase money for cancer research. In the mid of this year he spoke and sang a song in front of thousands of students of University of Florida to educate them and others about testicular cancer. He is one of the famous celebrities that beat cancer and became survivors.
3. Lisa Ray
Lisa Ray is a Canadian actress, host, model, social activist and philanthropist. She is very renowned for her leading role played in her controversial movie, Water. In June 2009, she was diagnosed with white blood cells carcinoma known as Multiple myeloma, which affects the plasma cells of the body and weakens the immunity system of the body. It is a rare and an incurable disease, in 2010, it was announced by her that she is cancer free after stem cell transplantation and chemotherapy sessions. Yet it was miserable but still she decided to bravely face it and carry on her life. She came back to her career in 2012, and has got married. Now while introducing herself she says that her name is Lisa Ray and she is a cancer survivor. She recalls the moments about cancer and says it is not about healing the body it’s about healing the mind. Defeating cancer needs courage it is your attitude that makes the difference and she proved it. She says it’s her passion to support and stand up for cancer victims. She devoted her earning to the institute of Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research in Los Angeles.
2. Michael Douglas
Michael Douglas is an American producer and director, who is the winner of Golden Globe and Academy Awards. On August 16, 2010 he was detected with throat cancer and at the end of August the cancer became worsens and reached at its most critical stage four. Many American doctors failed to detect his cancer but it was detected in Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital. He underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy for its treatment, due to his excessive weight loss of 32 lbs, he was put on special diet in November, 2010. However in January, 2011 he declared in his interview that the tumor has cured. He said that he has to have monthly screening because there is relapse of this disease within two to three years. He is a brave and optimistic man who expected full recovery. He is actively involved in fundraising programs in order to show his thanks for the hospital where his cancer was diagnosed and saved his life. His fans appreciate his courage that he survived this life threatening disease.
1. Manisha Koirala
Manisha Koirala is one of the famous celebrities that beat cancer and survived, she is an actress and social activist, a very renowned face of Bombay. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on 29th of November, 2012 and was admitted to Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai. She and the whole nation were shocked to hear about her cancer then she went to New York for her treatment.
She under went surgery and chemotherapy sessions, she spent about six months in New York and now she is cancer free. She never felt shy to disclose her disease and treatment. She even disclosed the pictures showing her tonsured head after chemotherapy sessions. She said that she value the life more now, being cancer free is a new life for her.She is actively participating in campaigns spreading awareness about cancer. She calls herself cancer crusader rather than cancer survivor, as the crusader has an approach that gives you the power, which is the thing you need while fighting with life threatening disease cancer. Last days she was busy in yoga and meditations for being well, she is physically fit but want to be mentally fit and will start her work after November.
