Being rich and famous doesn’t preclude anyone from the devastating feeling of a surprise cancer diagnosis. In the world of entertainment, celebrities often keep their cancer diagnoses private. The reason for this secrecy: they don’t want their fans to worry, and because they want to survive and inspire others with their stories.
Stories of four celebrities who survived Cancer
Here are four celebrities who have something to say about surviving cancer.
Hugh Jackman: Basal Cell Carcinoma
The quick-healing Wolverine superhero character was probably an inspiration for Hugh Jackman. This Australian actor has been visiting skin cancer treatment centers since his initial diagnosis in 2013. Jackman has confessed he was foolish for not listening to his wife when she noticed a small growth on his nose. He constantly reminds his fans to use sunscreen, listen to their loved ones and always stay positive.
Edie Falco: Breast Cancer
Most people know this vastly underrated actress for her role as the wife of a moody mafia boss in the HBO series “The Sopranos.” What many people don’t know about Edie Falco: she survived a tough battle with breast cancer. An interesting aspect of Falco’s recovery: she had a substance abuse problem she quickly surmounted after her cancer diagnosis. For inspiration, Falco kept telling herself she couldn’t give up on life at the age of 40.
Angelina Jolie: Ovarian Cancer
Often referred to as Hollywood royalty, Cancer didn’t care. Jolie felt vulnerable after her 2015 ovarian cancer diagnosis. She underwent various surgeries to remove her ovaries, as well as fallopian tubes. However, what she chose to do next shocked many fans. Jolie elected to have a double mastectomy because her risk of breast cancer had increased to nearly 90 percent. In a New York Times editorial, the actress explained that she did not feel less feminine after the mastectomy. Jolie often reminds her fans that cancer may change lives but cannot change personalities.
Michael C. Hall: Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Hall ruled cable television airwaves with powerful performances in “Six Feet Under” and “Dexter.” Hall was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer that turns dangerous without treatment. In the midst of filming the fourth season of “Dexter,” Hall started losing hair and weight due to the treatment. He tells his fans that the deep interest he gained about his condition helped him get through it.
In the end, it is important to remember that celebrities are just like the rest of us when it comes to cancer. If you’ve recently been diagnosed, seek help from a cancer treatment center and use these celebrities’ stories as a source of strength. And, of course, remember that a positive mindset can be a powerful ally when surviving this uncertain disease.
Author bio: Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA. She enjoys kayaking and reading books by the lake.
