Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK impacting one in seven women. Over 80% of breast cancers occur in women over 50 and the risk continues to increase with age.
Catching cancer early is crucial to recovery which is why knowing to check your breasts and how best to do this is vital. Awareness around checking your breasts has been increased greatly by a number of female celebrities who have used their platform to raise awareness around the importance of women checking their own breasts, attending their mammograms, and seeing a specialist if at all concerned with any changes.
From Strictly's Amy Dowden - who is currently undergoing chemotherapy - to pop icon Kylie Minogue and the inspirational late Olivia Newton-John, these ten inspirational women have contributed enormously to the awareness around breast cancer, genetic predisposition to the disease and towards availability of treatment or by extending research. They have also pushed to normalise how women look during and after treatment. Here we take a look at their experiences and how we can all learn from them this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Amy Dowden
© GettyStrictly's Amy Dowden, 33, bravely shared her breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year and has gone on to share every step of her journey with her 587 thousand Instagram followers. She has become a beacon of light for women going through the same journey, namely by deciding to go wig-less to the Pride of Britain awards after she courageously shaved her head in a video posted to Instagram to empower other women to feel confident without their hair.
Kylie Minogue
© ShutterstockAustralian pop princess Kylie Minogue, 55, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 at the age of 37. She reflected on her experience with People magazine in 2020 in light of the Covid-19 pandemic saying, "It's a huge change, and it is before and after. Now with what's happening in the world, there's a lot of people talking about a new normal, but I think after cancer or any other big, life-changing incident or illness, you have to adapt."
"Life is a series of challenges and you aim to have as many good times as possible," she continued. "At this stage in my life I really feel like life is just made of moments, and the more moments that can be good, try to acknowledge that that was a good moment. Because it's all coming at you, good and bad."
Christina Applegate
© Getty ImagesIn 2008 star of Dead to Me, Christina Applegate announced that she had breast cancer. After discovering a tumour in one of her breasts, the then-36-year-old actress had a prophylactic double mastectomy and later tested positive for the BRCA-1 breast cancer gene mutation, which heightened her risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
Christina made it her mission to bring awareness to how young women can be impacted by breast cancer. In 2008 she told CNN: "I am a 36-year-old person with breast cancer, and not many people know that that happens to women my age or women in their 20s. This is my opportunity now to go out and fight as hard as I can for early detection."
Sarah Harding
© GettyGirls Aloud singer Sarah Harding sadly passed away from breast cancer in 2021 at the age of 39. In August 2020, the singer announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer which had unfortunately spread to other parts of her body. Her Girls Aloud bandmates Cheryl, Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts ran Cancer Research UK's Race for Life in Sarah's memory shortly after her death and Sarah's legacy lives on in the proceeds from her final single 'Wear It Like a Crown' which were donated to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust that allows the Christie Hospital to fund by the cancer treatment centre that cared for Sarah prior to her death.
Michelle Heaton
© GettyEleven years have passed since Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton, 44, underwent a double mastectomy after finding out she was at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Michelle shone a light on preventative action as someone with the BRCA genetic mutation. She said: "There was never any doubt in my mind that I would have preventative surgery – it was a no-brainer for me: I had to do anything in my power that could ultimately save my life, so when Faith was just six months old, I had my double mastectomy & reconstruction."
Olivia Newton-John
© GettyThe iconic actress known most famously for portraying Sandy in the 1978 blockbuster Grease sadly passed away from breast cancer in 2022. Olivia Newton-John was first diagnosed in 1992 when she underwent a partial mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and a breast reconstruction. The actress and 'Xanadu' singer went into remission however the cancer sadly returned in 2013 as a tumour in her shoulder and again in 2017 as a tumour in the base of her spine.
Olivia's legacy is the incredible advocacy work she did prior to her passing. The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute opened in her name in Australia and upon her passing Cancer Council Victoria's chief executive Todd Harper called Olivia "a pioneer in the cancer field," saying via The Guardian that "her work provided inspiration for many."
Samantha Womack
© GettyTriggered by Olivia Newton-John's passing, EastEnders actress Samantha Womack announced in 2022 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. In January 2023 the actress shared that she had been given the all-clear and has been supporting a campaign enabling access to a new AI breast cancer diagnostic tool called Digistain.
Digistain is the UK's first breast cancer profiling solution and it helps patients devise an appropriate treatment plan.
Hoda Kotb
© NBCFifty-nine-year-old co-anchor of the Today show Hoda Kotb underwent a mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Hoda has described to Today the life-changing moment which helped her to accept her post-mastectomy body. She showed her friend's aunt, who had also been through breast cancer, her scars after feeling like she had to hide her body. “I remember I did it, and she goes, ‘Now is that so bad?’," Hoda said. "It was a very poignant and moving moment for me. It was a life-changer.”
Julia Bradbury
© ShutterstockCountryfile presenter, Julia Bradbury, 53, started dedicating her time to supporting the benefits of healthy living and nature therapy after she revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. The presenter opened up to Prima saying she was "grateful" for her cancer diagnosis as it forced her to "re-examine her life".
She went on to say that she now eats a healthy diet of vegetables, fats and protein. "What I don’t do any more is have buckets of ice cream and chocolate brownies,” she added. She revealed she had also cut out alcohol. Julia went on to make a documentary with ITV called Julia Bradbury: Breast Cancer And Me which followed the presenter as she came to terms with her diagnosis and prepared for a single mastectomy.
These ten women are shining examples of not only courage in the face of a very difficult experience but also a reminder that using their platform to share an experience can be the push someone may need to go and get their breasts checked.
Most importantly, if you notice changes in your breasts or the surrounding area or are experiencing pain, contact your GP as soon as possible.
For information and support about the signs, symptoms or treatment of breast cancer, the Macmillan Support Line is free and open 7 days a week (8am-8pm) on 0808 808 00 00. Alternatively, consult the NHS dedicated page. For more information visit breastcancercare.org.uk.
