Going Through Breast Cancer in the Public Eye
- Five incredible breast cancer survivors spoke to SurvivorNet about their experience with the disease.
- “E! News” host Giuliana Rancic discussed speaking up about what you need, and her own experience with infertility after treatment.
- Jaclyn Smith, an original “Charlie’s Angels” cast member, spoke about what she calls “the power of girlfriends.”
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we've put together some very wise words about taking on the cancer journey, from some women who went through it in the public eye. From worrying about fertility to chemo side effects to surgery recoveryhere are just a few of the most helpful, and most uplifting, pieces of advice that we've heard thus far.
Giuliana Rancic: ‘Ask for What You Need’
Read More“It’s very important to ask any question that’s on your mind,” she added. “If it matters to you, that’s all that matters.”
Jaclyn Smith: ‘The Power of Girlfriends’
Jaclyn Smith, of original “Charlie’s Angels” fame, said that having a couple of friends she could really depend on made a world of different during her experience with breast cancer.
"I talk about the power of girlfriends," Smith told SurvivorNet. "…The family was so emotionally tied to [the cancer journey]. I saw them worry. Whereas the girlfriends would say, 'OK, we're going to lunch. Should we go to Johnny Rockets today?’"
"They were just always cheery and they were always up, and they wouldn't let me get down," Smith added. "And if I heard anything, they diffused the story. It's nice to have family, but it's nice to get that support from friends, too."
Amy Robach: ‘Let People Help’
TV news Journalist Amy Robach was diagnosed with breast cancer after getting a mammogram on live TV during a “Good Morning America” segment. When we asked her for her biggest piece of her advice, she explained that something that was difficult for her personally — letting other people step in and help — made a huge difference.
“It was hard for me at first too because no one likes to be vulnerable,” she said. “Nobody likes to be a charity case. But when you let people help you, when you share your story, when you tell people what you’re going through and you let your friends and you let your family make dinner for you and pick up your kids for you, just be there for you, hold your hand with you, take your mind off it by taking them to lunch or dinner, if you let people in, that support and that love will strengthen you.”
Novlene Williams-Mills: ‘Get Back Out There’
Olympic sprinter Novlene Williams-Mills was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was just 30 years old and weeks away from competing in the 2012 Games in London. As a professional athlete, Williams-Mills told SurvivorNet that it was really difficult to get back to her training regiment after going through treatment. Her advice: Just get out there and do what you can.
"The times were not the times I used to run," Williams-Mills says of her first competition after undergoing breast cancer surgery. "But it was a confidence booster for me because, knowing the training I had, knowing what I'd been through the past couple months … and to still be able to be like, 'OK, I still got it.' It's not that bad."
Joan Lunden: ‘Let it Focus You’
TV news legend Joan Lunden said that being diagnosed with breast cancer had an unexpected effectfocusing her on causes that she became really passionate about. A lot of survivors have told us that facing cancer makes you truly focus on what’s important in life, and Joan was no different.
“I probably ended up where I needed to be," Lunden said about her experience with the disease. "Those are the things, when you fight a life-changing battle, that you contemplate and maybe you would never have contemplated them otherwise. So, when you contemplate those things it sure does focus you on what you want to do with the rest of your life."
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