These Celebrities Have the Most Inspiring Things to Say About Battling Cancer (2023)

Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and two years later, she underwent reconstructive surgery. She's been public about the process, even sharing a photo of her, her doctor, and his wife the week of her reconstructive surgery with the caption: "Dinner with Dr. Jay Orringer and his beautiful wife Jolynne. This man is performing surgery on me this week so dinner felt like a good call. @drjayorringer #reconstruction."

Country singer Crow was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, at 44 years old. In an interview with Country Living she was asked about the lessons she learned during her journey and said: "One of them was to put myself first on my list of those I take care of. Another one was that it's okay to say no. It's okay if people are mad at you or disappointed in you if you're following your voice and you're taking care of yourself."

In 2018, Louis-Dreyfus announced her cancer diagnosis on Twitter: "1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today, I'm the one. The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union. The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let's fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality." Today, Louis-Dreyfus is in remission and advocates for breast cancer awareness.

Rancic was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, but recently celebrated eight years free from the disease. In an interview with her husband for Glamour, she shed light on how important it is to support caregivers, saying, "There isn't a lot for the people helping the woman with breast cancer. The husband, the partner, the parents, the friends, whoever is going to be the caregiver is really on their own and has no idea what they are about to do."

In 2018, the Jane the Novela star revealed her struggle with anal cancer on Instagram, writing "So grateful and happy to be alive but sad that my hair fell out and is about 1 inch long now and looks cra cra. Anyone else have #hairloss due to #cancer? Talk to me. I feel you. Xxoo m❤️❤️❤️." Cross hopes that her story will help address the stigma around anal cancer and encourage people to not to be embarrassed about talking to their doctors if something isn't right.

The television and radio host was diagnosed with one of the most common types of lung cancer in 2017. He had surgery in July of the same year to have it removed. "They went in through my ribs with a tiny camera and snipped it out. I only had a little pain and some shortness of breath but once my speech is back full—and that took about a week—went right back to work," he told PEOPLE.

Singer and actress Rita Wilson opened up about her invasive lobular carcinoma—the second most common type of breast cancer—in 2015. In an interview with PEOPLE, she expressed gratitude for her entire support system, saying, "I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery. Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion."

This American singer-songwriter made headlines when she performed bald at the 2005 Grammys. After the show, in an interview with SHAPE, she said, "I've always been upfront. So I said, 'why should I hide my truth?' I had cancer. I had chemotherapy. I lost my hair. There's no shame in that."

Minogue, an Australian-British singer, was diagnosed with breast cancer while on tour in 2005. At an event with the Women's Cancer Research Fund, she shared advice for those recently diagnosed: "You can't be positive all the time. So I say, when you are feeling down, when you are having a moment, allow yourself to do that"

The Three's Company star was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. She's now cancer-free and has made lasting changes to her diet and lifestyle habits to try to stay that way. "I sleep eight hours a night and I don't take any drugs..I don't even worry about cancer," she told Us Weekly.

The actress kept her breast cancer diagnosis a secret while filming The Sopranos. She's now in remission, but in an interview with Health, she opened up about the challenges that remain. "When the cancer went into remission, I was relieved, of course, but it was also strangely depressing...it occurs to you you're really on your own, and its a bit nerve-racking," she said.

This Dexter actor survived Hodgkin's lymphoma—a cancer of the lymphatic system—when he was in his late 30s. He also kept it a secret while filming, but then announced his illness before the 2010 Golden Globes. "I'm glad I did, because I really underestimated how much that would be a source of inspiration or strength to other people," he told The Guardian.

Osbourne fended off colorectal cancer in the early 2000s. Then in 2012, she decided to get a double mastectomy when she found out she had a high risk for breast cancer. "I wasn’t diagnosed with cancer, but I had the gene and one of my breasts was in a really bad state because of the implant,” she said in an interview with PEOPLE. She's been open about her journey on the show she co-hosts, The Talk.

The Today co-anchor was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Her battle was very public, as it coincided with a divorce and starting a new job, but she is cancer-free today. "I'm not wasting one more minute," she said in an interview with Cancer Connect.

The iconic English rock singer was diagnosed with thyroid cancer during a routine checkup. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, Stewart is now in remission, but remains a big supporter of the City of Hope Foundation, which works to improve treatments for all types of cancer.

The beloved Bates has survived both ovarian cancer and breast cancer. She opted out of breast reconstruction, telling ET Online,
"I've joined the ranks of women who are going flat, as they say. I don't have breasts—so why do I have to pretend like I do? That stuff isn't important."

Quivers, who's worked in radio—most notably with Howard Stern—for years, revealed her endometrial cancer diagnosis in 2013. Despite the tumor being "the size of a grapefruit," she is now in remission and back at work.

Vergara was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2000 and had surgery to have the gland removed. In an interview with Parade, she said, "I've never done drugs or smoked. And I don't eat red meat. I felt totally healthy, and suddenly they tell me I have cancer? I was scared. I immediately thought of my child." But today she is happy to say she's in remission.

You might not recognize him without the black-and-white face paint, but this founding member of KISS was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. "It's a disease for women but 2% of men (out of all breast cancer victims) get this in the world and they need to be educated about it, " Criss told USA Today. He continues to work to increase awareness and decrease the stigma surrounding male breast cancer.

Fonda has been extremely open about her skin cancer journey and her health struggles in general. In a cover interview for British Vogue, she said, "I've had a lot of cancer. I was a sun-worshipper. When I have a day off, I frequently go to my skin doctor and have things cut off me by a surgeon." Fonda's cancer treatment is still an "ongoing process," but she isn't letting her health get int he way of what she has to offer. Fonda is set to star in season 6 of Grace and Frankie.