_

Cancer doesn't care who you are — it can strike anyone, at anytime. Join us as we take a look at some of the stars who've publicly faced the disease over the years, starting with this TV personality…
Former The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave — who's rock star John Mellencamp's daughter — began her battle with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, in 2022. That March, she learned she had melanoma in situ, meaning the cancer had not spread beyond the outer layer of skin. That October, however, she was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma on her back. By September 2023, she'd been diagnosed with her 13th melanoma in a year.
Things got worse from there. In early 2025, she underwent emergency surgery to remove "multiple tumors" from her brain. A month later, in March 2025, she revealed on Instagram that her doctors found three more tumors on her brain and two additional tumors in her lungs. "These are all a direct result of my melanoma," she said.

Keep reading for more stars who've battled cancer over the years…
MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news

_

After Shannen Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, she underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Two years later in 2017, she revealed that she was in remission. But by 2019, her cancer had returned and in early 2020, the "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed" actress announced it had metastasized.
"I'm stage 4. So my cancer came back," she told ABC News at the time. "It's a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways." Shannen confessed she was afraid, explaining, "There are definitely days where I say, 'Why me?' And then I go, 'Why not me? Who else?' Who else besides me deserves this? None of us do."
In June 2023, she revealed that she'd been undergoing radiation after the cancer spread to her brain. Days later, Shannen revealed that in January 2023, she underwent surgery. "I had a tumor in my head they wanted to remove and also biopsy. I am clearly trying to be brave but I am petrified. The fear was overwhelming to me," she shared alongside a video of herself being prepped to go under.
In a November 2023 cover story with People magazine, she opened up more about her cancer, which had spread to her bones. "I don't want to die," Shannen said. "I'm not done with living. I'm not done with loving. I'm not done with creating. I'm not done with hopefully changing things for the better. I'm just not — I'm not done."
On an April 2024 episode of her podcast, "Let's Be Clear With Shannen Doherty," the actress revealed that she'd started getting rid of her belongings. "The cancer, for me, has really made me take stock of my life and shift my priorities, and my priority at the moment is my mom," she explained. "I don't want her to have a bunch of stuff to deal with. I don't want her to have four storage units filled with furniture because I have a furniture obsession." She admitted that even though "it feels like you're giving up on something that was very special and important to you," she also felt "that it's the right thing to do" because "it's going to give you a sense of peace and a sense of calm because you're helping the people that you leave behind just have a cleaner, easier transition."
She died just a few months later.

_

Catherine, Princess of Wales, announced in March 2024 that she's been diagnosed with cancer and wa undergoing chemotherapy. The British royal, who was 42 at the time, shared the news in a video message recorded by the BBC after a prolonged absence from the spotlight following an unspecified abdominal surgery she underwent in January 2024.
She began her message by thanking those who'd sent their "support and understanding" since the surgery, the cause of which Kensington Palace did not disclose.
"In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London, and at the time, it was thought that my condition was noncancerous," Princess Kate said in the video. "The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment."
Kate said she initially kept the news private for the sake of her health, her recovery and her children.
"This, of course, came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family," she said. "As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK."
After assuring viewers her husband, Prince William, had been a "great source of comfort," Kate asked for "time, space and privacy" to complete her treatment.
"At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer," she concluded. "For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone."
In early February 2024, Buckingham Palace confirmed Kate's father-in-law, King Charles III, had also been diagnosed with "a form of cancer" and had begun treatment.

_

Buckingham Palace announced on Feb. 5, 2024, that King Charles III had been diagnosed with "a form of cancer."
"During The King's recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer. His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties," the palace said in a statement, adding that "throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual."
"The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible. His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer," the statement continued.
 

_

Actress Olivia Munn took to Instagram in March 2024 to reveal that she was diagnosed with breast cancer nearly a year earlier and underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
In a lengthy post, she detailed the timing and shared more information in hopes "others find comfort, inspiration and support on their own journey."
In February 2023, Olivia took a genetic test that looked at 90 genes to assess her cancer risk. Both she and her sister learned they were negative for BRCA mutations — the most common breast cancer risk indicator. But two months later, former star of "The Newsroom" — who was 42 at the time — learned she had breast cancer.
"I wouldn't have found my cancer for another year — at my next scheduled mammogram — except that my OBGYN, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, decided to calculate my Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score. The fact that she did saved my life," Olivia — who shares two children with comedian John Mulaney — explained in a statement. 
"Dr. Aliabadi looked at factors like my age, familial breast cancer history, and the fact that I had my first child after the age of 30. She discovered my lifetime risk was at 37%. Because of that score I was sent to get an MRI, which led to an ultrasound, which then led to a biopsy. The biopsy showed I had Luminal B cancer in both breasts. Luminal B is an aggressive, fast moving cancer," Olivia continued.
She had a double mastectomy 30 days later.
"I'm lucky. We caught it with enough time that I had options. I want the same for any woman who might have to face this one day. Ask your doctor to calculate your Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score. Dr. Aliabadi says that If the number is greater than 20%, you need annual mammograms and breast MRIs starting at age 30," Olivia wrote.
She went on to share her gratitude for her partner and her many doctors. "I'm so thankful to my friends and family for loving me through this. I'm so thankful to John for the nights he spent researching what every operation and medication meant and what side effects and recovery I could expect," she wrote, "For being there before I went into each surgery and being there when I woke up, always placing framed photos of our little boy Malcolm so it would be the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes."

_

On Feb. 9, 2024, a news station in the Miami area reported that former NFL star O.J. Simpson — who became a major pop culture figure in 1994 when he was accused of murdering his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman — had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy in Las Vegas. There were also whispers that he'd been placed in hospice care.
After the news made headlines, The Juice took to X to deny it. "Hospice? Hospice! … No, I'm not in any hospice. I don't know who put that out there. … [You] can't trust the media," he said, adding that he was "hosting a ton of friends for the Super Bowl here in Las Vegas" and that "all is well."
He died just two months later on April 10, 2024. According to reports, he had prostate cancer.
O.J. previously said that he "unfortunately caught cancer" and "did the whole chemo thing" in a rambling video he shared on X back in May 2023. He did not specify what kind of cancer he'd faced. "I'm healthy now. It looks like I beat it. I'm happy about that," he said at the time.

_

Reclusive fitness icon Richard Simmons took to Facebook in March 2024 to reveal that he'd recently been diagnosed with skin cancer.
"Mirror mirror on the wall what's that blemish which is so small? There was this strange looking bump under my right eye. I had a tube of Neosporin which I would put on [in] the morning and the evening… It was still there. It was time to call my dermatologist," he began a lengthy post. "I sat in his chair and he looked at it through a magnifying mirror. He told me he would have to scrape it and put it under the microscope. Now I am getting a little bit nervous. He comes back about 20 minutes later and says the C word. You have cancer. I asked him what kind of cancer and he said. Basel Cell Carcinoma. I told him to stop calling me dirty names. He laughed."
"You have to go to a cancer doctor right away. But now that you are here I suggest you put some Botox in your forehead lines and your smile lines and let's pump up those cheeks of yours… I patted him on his hand and said, 'Not today, doctor,'" Richard continued. "When I got home I called Dr Ralph A. Massey who was from England. I waited in his waiting room and said hello to all of these people who had skin cancer as well. I was shocked to see all of the skin cancers that they had. Some had cancer on top of their heads… their face… and their neck."
"The nurse said, 'Dr would like to see you now Richard.' I slowly walked in this pristine room and Dr Massey came in to greet me…' I have to apologize I just finished eating lox, bagels, and onions.' He smelled like a deli. But I didn't care I just needed his help," the exercise legend shared. "He explained that he has to burn my skin to remove the cancer cells. There was no numbing it just had to be done with a small instrument. As he started burning my skin a tear dropped down my cheek. You can't cry during this and he wiped my tear. The burning really hurt my skin. It lasted about 30 minutes. 'Come back in an hour and a half and see if I got it all out.'
"After driving around the city, I went back to some sad news. I didn't get it all out. He burned my face again. This time was worse than before… It was deeper. I did not cry this time but I did grit my teeth. 'Come back in another hour and a half.' Well the third time was a charm. With a smile on his face, he said, 'We got all the cancer cells out.' I gave him a hug. We are not done yet I have to stitch your face up. It took about 45 Minutes and I was done. 'I don't want to see you back here again.'
"Before I left, he checked my arms, my back, my chest and my legs. I had a little Frankenstein under my right eye for a while. He gave me some cream to put on it which I did religiously. Because of his fine work I don't have a scar," Richard added.
Sadly, he died just four months later from complications of a fall and heart disease.

_

 
Sarah, Duchess York, underwent surgery after being diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram, her spokesman announced on June 25, 2023. The former Sarah Ferguson — affectionately known as Fergie — "was advised she needed to undergo surgery, which has taken place successfully," her spokesman told BBC News, adding that the British royal had been "symptom free" before her mammogram and "believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening."
On June 26, 2023, the duchess shared more about her diagnosis on an episode of her "Tea Time" podcast that was recorded the day before she underwent a single mastectomy. She explained that her sister is the one who urged her to not put off her mammogram. "It was after bank holiday, and I live in this area — in the Windsor area — and it was a hot day and I didn't feel like going to London. It's easy to put it off — 'I'll do it next week,'" she explained. "My sister, who's wonderful from Australia, I always normally do what she says because she gets so cranky. She said, 'No — go. I need you to go. I need you to go." So she did.
Weeks later in August 2023, as she continued to heal, Fergie shared on her podcast that she'd named her reconstructed breast "Derek," explaining that personalizing it was a way to help her move forward. As for choosing that name, she said, "I don't know. It just made me laugh." Turning serious, though, she explained, "He is very important; he saved my life. … Now I have a friend, Derek, with me all the time who is protecting me with his shield of armor."
Just months later in January 2024, the duchess confirmed she'd been diagnosed with a second form of cancer. "Following her diagnosis with an early form of breast cancer this summer, Sarah, Duchess of York has now been diagnosed with malignant melanoma," her spokesperson said in a statement, revealing that the news came after the royal had several moles removed and analyzed while undergoing reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy.
Fergie stayed positive in the wake of her second diagnosis. "It was thanks to the great vigilance of my dermatologist that the melanoma was detected when it was," she shared on Instagram on Jan. 22, 2024. "Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock but I'm in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support."

_

Country music star Toby Keith took to Instagram in June 2022, to publicly share his diagnosis — and hope — with fans. "Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer," he wrote. "I've spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax." Five months later in November 2022, the "Beer for My Horses" singer told the CMT Hot 20 Countdown he was starting to think about getting "back in fighting shape" but that he still needed "a little bit of time to just rest up and heal up. It's pretty debilitating to have to go through all that," Toby said, "but as long as everything stays hunky dory, then we'll look at something good in the future."
In June 2023 — a year after he first publicly revealed his diagnosis — Toby shared a new update: His tumor had shrunk by a third. "I'm feeling pretty good. Basically, everything is in a real positive trend," he told The Oklahoman, which reported that the singer, who was still undergoing chemotherapy wanted to see if he caould handle some live shows. "I've got more wind," he said. "And I'm thinking about bringing the band in and setting up, playing two or three days somewhere just to see if I can get through two hours. … All I gotta do is see if I can get through two or three nights of work and get a little break in this chemo, and we'll go back to work."
On February 5, 2024, Toby Keith passed away after a three year battle with cancer. He left behind his wife of four decades and their three children.

_

Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell — the sister of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" star Alana Thompson and the daughter of "Mama June" Shannon — died at 29 on Dec. 9, 2023, less than a year after learning she had a rare cancer. "With the breaking heart, we are announcing that @annamarie35 is no longer with us. She passed away in my home last night peacefully at 11:12 PM," June wrote on Instagram on Dec. 10. "She gave one hell of a fight for 10 months she passed away with her family around her like she [wanted]."
Anna, a mother of two, was diagnosed with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma at 28 in January 2023, TMZ reported in March. A family source told the webloid that Anna was experiencing stomach aches, which led doctors to do testing that discovered the cancer in her liver, kidney and lung. According to TMZ, Anna underwent her initial round of chemotherapy in February. Reports also indicated that the mother of two quit her job as a car saleswoman in order to focus on her health battle.
In May 2023, Anna took to Instagram to share a hope-filled update after visiting a Cracker Barrel for a meal. "Well going on to round 3 of chemo. … yesterday it was [a] pretty good day … and Cracker Barrel was good going down but not up," she joked of the nausea that comes with the cancer treatment." But over all it's going good and chemo is working we come to find, so things are looking good."
However, in July 2023, her mother, "Mama June" Shannon, told "Entertainment Tonight" that the family had learned Anna's cancer was terminal. "She's stage 4. She's not gonna go into remission. We've all accepted that," she said at the time.

_

On Oct. 16, 2023, Susan Sullivan shocked fans when she took to X to share a photo of herself in a hospital room standing alongside an IV pole while wearing a hospital gown. (See it next.) The following day, the Emmy-nominated actress returned to X to reveal that she'd been battling lung cancer.
"Thanks for all the lovely comments and concerns. I had lung cancer. The surgery was successful. The healing process is a struggle," she wrote.
Susan, who turned 80 in 2022, portrayed the mother of the titular crime novelist on the long-running procedural "Castle." She also spent years starring on "Dharma & Greg," "Falcon Crest" and "Another World." She scored an Emmy nomination in 1978 for her work on the short-lived medical drama "Having Babies."
 

_

"Life's surprising little turns try to be ready for them with humor and hope. On we go," Susan Sullivan captioned this photo of herself following successful surgery to treat her lung cancer.

_

"Three's Company" and "Step By Step" star Suzanne Somers lost her long battle with breast cancer on Oct. 15, 2023, passing away "peacefully" at home one day before her 77th birthday. "She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years," her publicist told People magazine in a statement shared on behalf of Suzanne's family. "Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family. Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly." Suzanne's death certificate later confirmed her cause of death: "breast cancer with metastasis to the brain."
In July 2023, Suzanne confirmed that she'd recently battled breast cancer again. "I have been living with cancer since my 20s. And every time that little f***** pops up, I continue to bat it back. I do my best not to let this insidious disease control me," she told "Entertainment Tonight" in a statement. "It's a recurrence of my breast cancer. Like any cancer patient, when you get that dreaded, 'It's back,' you get a pit in your stomach. Then I put on my battle gear and go to war. This is [a] familiar battleground for me and I'm very tough."
The "Three's Company" star credited husband Alan Hamel and her children for supporting her amid her diagnoses. "My cancer is a disease that affected my whole family and once it hit me in my 20s, Alan and I got even closer and every moment of every day was precious. We have not spent even one day apart in over 42 years. That's the big upside of my cancer," she added. "My son refers to our relationship as functionally co-dependent. And my incredible family has been unbelievably supportive every step of the way."
The actress previously spoke about focusing on her health in the wake of her 2000 breast cancer diagnosis — prioritizing sleep, eating an all-organic diet and avoiding chemicals in food and beauty products. "My doctors said that if I didn't lead a chemical free life, supported by bio-identical hormones, I would not likely be here today," she added in her July 2023 statement. "I am so grateful to all my fans for all the loving wishes. That means so much to me. God Bless America."
Her July 2023 comments came after her husband initially shared the news with Page Six. "Suzanne has lived with cancer all her life," he said, referencing the breast cancer diagnosis the "Three's Company" star got in her 50s, the skin cancer she faced in her 30s and the hysterectomy she had years earlier. "In her 20s, she'd also dealt with two hyperplasia [in her uterus]… which is the waiting room for cancer," he added. Alan explained that at 76, Suzanne "has now dealt with her cancer once again," adding that "on June 6, she got an all-clear, but cancer is tricky and we will now closely monitor everything going forward. … We decided to put work on the back burner for now and focus on her health." Alan got two more months with Suzanne before she passed.

_

Sam Neill's cancer is in remission thanks to a rare anti-cancer drug for which he receives an infusion every two weeks. His doctors have warned him, however, that the drug will eventually stop working. The "Jurassic Park" actor told Australia Story that he is "prepared" to die and "not remotely afraid" of it.
"I know I've got [cancer], but I'm not really interested in it," he said. "It's out of my control. If you can't control it, don't get into it."
During an interview with The Guardian that debuted online on March 17, 2023, Sam revealed his stage 3 blood cancer diagnosis: He was diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma after he experienced swollen glands while promoting "Jurassic World Dominion" in the spring of 2022. He later underwent chemotherapy treatments and, while taking a break from acting, wrote a memoir detailing his life, career and cancer journey. "I never had any intention to write a book. But as I went on and kept writing, I realized it was actually sort of giving me a reason to live … so it was a lifesaver really, because I couldn't have gone through that with nothing to do," he said, adding that he's "just pleased to be alive" after his initial chemo plan proved unsuccessful.

_

Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor (pictured in 1984) was unable to attend his band's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in November 2022 due to his cancer battle. "Just over 4 years ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer," the rocker, who was also a member of Power Station, wrote in a letter posted on Duran Duran's website and also read in part by his bandmates during their induction. "I have the Rodgers and Edwards of doctors and medical treatment that until very recently allowed me to just rock on. Although my current condition is not immediately life threatening there is no cure. Recently I was doing okay after some very sophisticated life extending treatment, that was until a week or so ago when I suffered a setback, and despite the exceptional efforts of my team, I had to be honest in that both physically and mentally, I would be pushing my boundaries."
In February 2023, Andy shared more details about his journey. The first indication that something was off came when he felt an "arthritic" pain while jogging. He then found a pair of lumps in his lymph nodes. "The first thing I thought of was, when was the last time I had a PSA [prostate-specific antigen] test?" Andy told People magazine, adding, "My father passed away because of prostate [cancer]. So there was the family history." He was diagnosed at stage 4 in October 2018. Though the drug abiraterone acetate helped him keep his cancer in what People described as a dead state, Andy said he's still had to make peace with the inevitable. "It's a death sentence. So you sort of walk out of the hospital in a stunned silence, because you could never be prepared for … you've got to start from the fact that it's a slow burn, so it's not going to take you quickly." Andy is still making music, which he says has been a boon for his health: "[I'm] trying to stay alive and live a life, which I am absolutely not giving up on."
Keep reading to learn how he's doing now…

_

In August 2023, Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor — seen here the same month — shared three more updates after returning to his native Britain, where he's receiving a new treatment, from his home on the Spanish island of Ibiza.
He revealed on the "BBC Breakfast" show that after he went public with his diagnosis, scientist Christopher Evans (whom Andy calls the "Elon Musk of cancer") reached out to him to offer an innovative drug treatment — "a nuclear medicine, Lutetium-177, which is targeted so it only sees cancer cells," the rocker explained. "It can't see healthy cells. It kills stage 4 cancer in your bones. And so what it's effectively done is extend my life for five years."
Later the same month — with five of six treatments left to go at the time — Andy marveled to The London Times, "I was classified as palliative, end-of-life care. And now I'm not; I'm asymptomatic."
In September 2023, Andy marveled on an episode of Britain's "Lorraine" talk show, "I'm doing great. I've had two rounds of treatment [now and] I'm like from the walking dead to … singing and dancing," he said, adding, "When I was diagnosed five years ago … there was only a few years to live and I had to live with that and so did my family."

_

 
Back in 2017, former E! host Maria Menounos was treated for a benign brain tumor. Then in January 2023 — not long after learning she and her husband were finally expecting a baby via surrogate after a decade-long fertility journey — she faced another shocking diagnosis: pancreatic cancer.
Her path to the discovery began in 2022 as she faced a different health issue, Maria told People magazine in a May 2023 interview. She began suffering from severe leg cramps in June 2022 and soon learned she had type 1 diabetes, which runs in her family. She adopted a strict diet and began taking insulin and monitoring her glucose levels and things improved quickly. By October 2022, "I felt so good. What else could go wrong?" she said. But a month later, she headed to the hospital "with excruciating abdominal pain coupled with diarrhea." 
A CT scan and testing showed nothing wrong — but her pain continued to the point that it felt "like someone was tearing my insides out," Maria said. She then underwent a whole-body MRI with a company called Prenuvo, which revealed she had a 3.9 cm mass on her pancreas that a biopsy confirmed was stage 2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. "I'm like 'How in the freaking world can I have a brain tumor and pancreatic cancer?'" All I could think was that I have a baby coming," she shared.
In February 2023, Maria underwent surgery to remove the tumor, part of her pancreas, her spleen, a fibroid and 17 lymph nodes. She's now in remission and has not required chemotherapy or additional treatment; instead, she'll have annual scans for the next five years. "I'm so grateful and so lucky," Maria said.
Keep reading for new details Maria shared about her cancer in July 2023…

_

In July 2023, Maria Menounos shared new details about her pancreatic cancer diagnosis. During an appearance on the "Not Skinny But Not Fat" podcast, as reported by Page Six, she revealed that a radiologist missed her tumor the first time she was scanned — and by the time doctors spotted it two months later when she underwent a full-body MRI, it had doubled in size. "When they found the tumor in the MRI [in January 2023], they said, 'Can we go back and get the records and look at the November [2022] scan? I bet it was there,'" she explained. "And it was. At that point it was 2 centimeters and by the time they had found it was almost 4 centimeters — it had doubled in size in two months."
She's since learned, she said, that "different scans have the ability to see different things better. For this, an MRI was what's really going to see it, for other things CT scans are better, for others things an ultrasound's better. It's a really complicated process…" After the tumor was confirmed, "the radiologist went back and he was able to see it and do an addendum and say, 'Yes, now with the knowledge it was there, we're able to see it is there.'"
Maria also shared more about her symptoms prior to her diagnosis. "I had severe diarrhea for a month and a half. I did all the stool tests, they came back negative, nothing was bad. I went and got a CT scan, they said, 'You're fine,'" she explained. "But my pain kept persisting, and any time I complained about the pain, my doctor was like, 'We've done all the tests.'"

_

Supermodel Linda Evangelista faced breast cancer twice in five years. The supermodel made the revelation in an interview with WSJ. Magazine that debuted in September 2023.
Her first diagnosis came in 2018 when a tumor "was detected in my annual mammogram," she said. "The margins were not good, and due to other health factors, without hesitation, because I wanted to put everything behind me and not to have to deal with this, I opted for a bilateral mastectomy. Thinking I was good and set for life. Breast cancer was not going to kill me."
But four years later in 2022, she felt a lump on her breast and learned the cancer had returned. This time, Linda told her doctor to "'Dig a hole in my chest,'" she recalled. "I don't want it to look pretty. I want you to excavate. I want to see a hole in my chest when you're done. Do you understand me? I'm not dying from this."
Linda explained that she "just went into this mode that I know how to do — just do what you've got to do and get through it. And that's what I did."
Her oncologist later told her that her prognosis was "good." That led Linda to ask, "Why isn't it great?" She learned she had a "horrible oncotype score," which reflects the likelihood her cancer will return.
"I know I have one foot in the grave, but I'm totally in celebration mode. I've come through some horrible health issues," she said, referencing an allegedly botched 2015 CoolSculpting cosmetic procedure she's said left her "deformed" — they settled in 2022 — but now "I'm at a place where I'm so happy celebrating my book ['Linda Evangelista Photographed by Steven Meisel'], my life. I'm so happy to be alive. Anything that comes now is bonus."

_

Dolph Lundgren quietly battled cancer for years starting in 2015, he revealed in May 2023. The "Rocky" star said on the "In Depth With Graham Bensinger" series that doctors found a cancerous tumor in his kidney that was removed in 2015. The cancer soon went into remission for five years but in 2020, more tumors were discovered. He was given a terminal cancer diagnosis and told he only had a couple years to live. With tumors in his lungs, stomach, spine and kidneys, Dolph felt his days were numbered — some of the tumors were so large that surgery wasn't an option. "I thought it was it, for sure," he said. But after seeking a second opinion, Dolph found hope: He was put on a new medication that targeted his mutation and his tumors began shrinking, some as much as 90%. He now plans to undergo surgery to have them removed. "Hopefully when they take these out, there's no cancer activity and the medication that I'm taking is going suppress everything else," he said. "You appreciate life a lot more. I appreciate every day."
 

_

In October 2020, Jeff Bridges took to social media to reveal he had non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. "As the Dude would say.. New S*** has come to light," wrote the actor, referencing his "The Big Lebowski" character. "I have been diagnosed with Lymphoma. Although it is a serious disease, I feel fortunate that I have a great team of doctors and the prognosis is good. I'm starting treatment and will keep you posted on my recovery…"
In 2021, he opened up to People magazine about how he first discovered something was wrong, revealing he felt something unusual in his stomach while he was exercising at home one morning. He soon learned "it was a 12-by-9-inch tumor in my body. Like a child in my body. It didn't hurt or anything," he explained. He began chemotherapy by infusion followed by oral chemo and it was working, but in January 2021, his health suffered greatly when, defenseless with his immune system decimated by the chemo, he became extremely sick with COVID before vaccines were available. He spent nearly five month in the hospital where he was "pretty close to dying," he revealed.
His recovery was arduous and slow once he returned home, but oxygen and physical therapy helped him slowly but surely improve. In May 2023, Jeff shared a cancer update with AARP, revealing that his tumor had shrunk "to the size of a marble," he said.

_

Soap opera actor Eric Braeden — who's played Victor Newman on the CBS soap opera "The Young & the Restless" for more than four decades — shared with fans in April 2023 that he'd been diagnosed with prostate cancer. In an emotional Facebook Live video, the Daytime Emmy winner explained that he got the diagnosis after experiencing prostate issues while he was recovering from knee-replacement surgery a few months earlier. "I hate to be this personal, but I think this may be good for some older guys who may or may not listen to this," he said, going on to explain that when he sought help for his issues, high-grade cancer cells were discovered near his bladder. His doctor then performed surgery to remove the cancer and perform a UroLift procedure to address some of his symptoms. Eric then began a six-week immunotherapy treatment plan.
"I will lick this. This b****** ain't going to get me, I'm going to get it. I'll be in top form again soon," the veteran daytime drama actor vowed. "Whenever you have someone in the family who goes through this, support them. It can work out. Nowadays, there is so much advancement in cancer treatment, you can survive it."

_

Mike Ness, the lead singer of celebrated punk rock band Social Distortion took to Instagram on June 7, 2023, to announce that the band would be postponing its tour and album release while he battled tonsil cancer. "In the midst of pre-production, I was diagnosed with stage one tonsil cancer. I was feeling well enough to continue with recording in the studio up until the very day before surgery," he wrote. "The recovery from surgery is a day-by-day process and in three weeks we start radiation and that should be the last therapy I need. The team of doctors are certain that once finished with this course, I will be able to start the healing and recovery process. … I want you all to know that this has opened my eyes to a whole new struggle. I know it's one that many of you or your loved ones have personally endured, and my heart goes out to you — because I now know what it's like from this heavy experience."

_

"Tiger King" star Joe Exotic (real name: Joseph Maldonado Passage) shared a note on Instagram in November 2021 revealing that he was battling "aggressive" prostate cancer. "Everyone, it is with a sad face that I have to tell you the doctors called me in today to break the news that my prostate biopsy came back with an aggressive cancer," the controversial Netflix star, who's currently serving prison time for his role in a murder-for-hire plot against Big Cat Rescue founder Carole Baskin, explained on social media.

_

In November 2021, actress Blythe Danner revealed in an interview with People magazine that she was in remission after being diagnosed with the same oral cancer that killed her husband, director Bruce Paltrow, in 2002. In 2018, the Emmy winner "started feeling very woozy and I was forgetting everything," she told the magazine, "and then I felt a lump in my neck, right next to where Bruce had found his [in 1999]." After learning she had adenoid cystic carcinoma — a fairly rare form of oral cancer that often develops in the salivary glands — she quietly started treatment that ultimately included three surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation as well as alternative therapies. "I kept it from my kids for a long time," she admitted, referring to actress Gwyneth Paltrow and director Jake Paltrow, explaining, "I wanted to forge ahead as a mother, and I didn't want them to worry." Blythe also acknowledged that "everyone is touched by cancer in some way, but it's unusual for a couple to have the same cancer." When she learned what she was facing, "I remember I looked up at heaven and said to Bruce, 'Are you lonely up there?'" she recalled. "It's a sneaky disease. But I'm fine and dandy now. And I'm lucky to be alive."

_

On Sept. 2, 2022, Jane Fonda revealed that at 84, she was battling cancer. "I've been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and have started chemo treatments," the Oscar winner wrote on Instagram in a lengthy post, adding that they were expected to continue for six months. "This is a very treatable cancer. 80% of people survive, so I feel very lucky. I'm also lucky because I have health insurance and access to the best doctors and treatments. I realize, and it's painful, that I am privileged in this," she continued. "Almost every family in America has had to deal with cancer at one time or another and far too many don't have access to the quality health care I am receiving and this is not right. We also need to be talking much more not just about cures but about causes so we can eliminate them. For example, people need to know that fossil fuels cause cancer. So do pesticides, many of which are fossil fuel-based, like mine." Jane said she is "handling the treatments quite well" and reassured her fans — and critics — that she "will not let any of this interfere with my climate activism." Three months later — six days before her 85th birthday — Jane shared a wonderful update in a blog post titled "BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!!!" writing, "Last week I was told by my oncologist that my cancer is in remission and I can discontinue chemo. I am feeling so blessed, so fortunate. I thank all of you who prayed and sent good thoughts my way. I am confident that it played a role in the good news." She added, "I'm especially happy because while my first 4 chemo treatments were rather easy for me, only a few days of being tired, the last chemo session was rough and lasted 2 weeks making it hard to accomplish much of anything. The effects wore off just as I went to D.C. for the first live, in-person Fire Drill Fridays rally," referring to the demonstration and protest aimed at fighting the climate crisis.

_

Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw announced on Oct. 2, 2022, that he twice battled cancer over the previous year. The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback-turned-sports analyst told viewers on FOX's NFL Sunday pregame show that he underwent surgery and treatment at Yale University Medical Center in Connecticut after being diagnosed with bladder cancer in November 2021. Then in March 2022, after getting an MRI for a "bad neck," doctors discovered a Merkel cell tumor — a rare form of skin cancer — in his "left neck." He had surgery to remove it at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. "Folks, I may not look like my old self, but I feel like my old self. I'm cancer free, I'm feeling great, and over time I'm going to be back to where I normally am," Terry said on the air.

_

On Sept. 28, 2022 — in an essay titled "Why NOT Me?" — famed television journalist Katie Couric revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer three months earlier and had since undergone surgery and radiation treatments, sharing very personal details of her health journey. She explained that she was six months late getting her annual mammogram amid the coronavirus pandemic. "I shudder to think what might have happened if I had put it off longer," she wrote. She underwent a lumpectomy on July 14, during which her surgeon found the tumor was bigger than expected — 2.5 centimeters — and started radiation on Sept. 7, completing it a few weeks later. Katie, who famously underwent a colonoscopy on the "Today" show 22 years earlier after her first husband died from colon cancer, explained that she's sharing her own cancer story because "it seemed odd to not use this as another teachable moment that could save someone's life."

_

In his book "Breaking History: A White House Memoir," which was released in August 2022, former President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner reveals he was diagnosed with and treated for thyroid cancer at 38 during his tenure in the White House. "On the morning that I traveled to Texas to attend the opening of a Louis Vuitton factory [in October 2019], White House physician Sean Conley pulled me into the medical cabin on Air Force One. 'Your test results came back from Walter Reed [National Military Medical Center],' he said. 'It looks like you have cancer. We need to schedule a surgery right away,'" wrote Jared, who's married to Ivanka Trump, as reported in an excerpt shared with The New York Times. Jared, who wanted the news kept quiet and only told a small circle of people, also consulted a doctor at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. An operation to remove "an unusual growth in my thyroid" was scheduled for the Friday before Thanksgiving in 2019. Jared shared that when he thought about his diagnosis, "I reminded myself that it was in the hands of God and the doctors, and that whatever happened was out of my control," he wrote. He said the cancer was caught early yet still required removing a "substantial part of my thyroid" and that he was warned there could be lingering damage to his voice.

_

Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time in 1992. More than 20 years later in 2013, the "Grease" actress learned it had returned — this time in her shoulder. In 2017, the cancer came back a third time, surfacing in the base of her spine. "The pain level was really the hardest thing. I was trying to do shows and it was pretty agonizing. I can walk, but I can't go long distances," she told Australia's "60 Minutes." The Australian singer-actress underwent herbal and photon radiation therapies in addition to using cannabis oil to help her deal with her pain as she continued to fight the disease for many more years. On Aug. 8, 2022, Olivia lost her battle at 73. "Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends," her husband, John Easterling, announced on Facebook, adding, "Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer."

_

In August 2021, comedian Kathy Griffin took to Instagram to share her surprising diagnosis with fans. "I've got to tell you guys something. I'm about to go into surgery to have half of my left lung removed. Yes, I have lung cancer even though I've never smoked!" the "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" star began her message. "The doctors are very optimistic as it is stage one and contained to my left lung. Hopefully no chemo or radiation after this and I should have normal function with my breathing. I should be up and running around as usual in a month or less." Kathy added, "Of course I am fully vaccinated for COVID. The consequences for being unvaccinated would have been even more serious. Please stay up to date on your medical check ups. It'll save your life." Three months later during a late-November appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," she shared a big health update: The surgery was a success. "I'm cancer free!" Kathy revealed. 
 

_

In her memoir "God Bless This Mess," which debuted in November 2021, Hannah Brown revealed that she underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer when she was just 11. The former "The Bachelorette" star recalled having painful stomach aches in fifth grade. Eventually, an MRI showed "a tumor the size of an egg" on her pancreas. "The tumor was malignant. Cancer. Pancreatic cancer — one of the deadliest forms of cancer there is," she writes. Thankfully the cancer had not spread. "There was a chance we'd have to go through radiation and chemotherapy, they said, depending on what the surgeon found once they got me into the operating room," she recalls. "But miraculously, I didn't need either one." Her bloodwork has been free of cancer cells ever since.

_

In the September 2021 issue of Vera magazine, Stanley Tucci revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer three years earlier — doctors found a large tumor at the base of his tongue. "It was too big to operate, so they had to do high-dose radiation and chemo," he explained. "I'd vowed I'd never do anything like that, because my first wife [Kate] died of [breast] cancer [in 2009], and to watch her go through those treatments for years was horrible." The actor, who has children with Kate as well as two younger kids with second wife Felicity Blunt, said they "were great, but it was hard for them. I had a feeding tube for six months. I could barely make it to the twins' high school graduation." Reflecting on his experience, Stanley shared, "[Cancer] makes you more afraid and less afraid at the same time. I feel much older than I did before I was sick. But you still want to get ahead and get things done."

_

In June 2021, blink-182 bassist-vocalist Mark Hoppus announced that he'd been diagnosed with cancer. "For the past three months I've been undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. I have cancer," he wrote on social media. "It sucks and I'm scared, and at the same time I'm blessed with incredible doctors and family and friends to get me through this. I still have months of treatment ahead of me but I'm trying to remain hopeful and positive," he added. "Can't wait to be cancer free and see you all at a concert in the hopefully near future. Love to you all." The rocker did not reveal his specific cancer diagnosis at the time but a month later during a YouTube Q&A with fans in Chile, as reported by USA Today, he shared that it's blood-related. "My classification is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma stage 4-A, which means, as I understand it, it's entered four different parts of my body," he shared, adding that his mother beat the "exact same form of cancer" years ago, as well as two bouts of breast cancer. "I've been able to talk with her and bond with her quite a bit [over it]," he said. After several rounds of chemo, in late September 2021, Mark took to social media to share a very happy update with fans: "Just saw my oncologist and I'm cancer free!!" he wrote. "Thank you God and universe and friends and family and everyone who sent kindness and love." Moving forward, he said he'll be scanned every six months.