15 Celebrity Champions Who Overcame Cancer

Cancer is by far the biggest name when it comes to fatal diseases in 2024. Almost 18 million people are suffering from Cancer as we speak, and it is going to double by 2050, according to researchers. While the pharmaceutical people use their gigantic brains to figure out how to solve this puzzle, let us tell you about some people you know and love who have not just survived it, but beat cancer!

Modern medicine does do most of the work, but it was their grit, determination, and unwavering love from their close ones that fueled their fight and ultimately led to victory. Cancer is a sneaky villain. It grows these out-of-control cells that take over and rot your body from the inside. The good news is, catching it early can make a huge difference. That’s why getting screened regularly is so important. But even with treatment, the road to recovery is brutal. So, we’ll celebrate some of the amazing survivors who beat cancer and inspire those battling it right now!

Wolverine may have faced some pretty hairy situations on screen, but Hugh Jackman, the actor behind the claws, has battled a real-life villain: skin cancer. It all started in 2013 and it is still going on! Looks like Len Wein and John Romita Sr. had given Wolverine a real-life gift of invincibility.

He's had multiple scars and surgeries, as many as six over the years. Even as recently as April 2023, Jackman had a “little thing” that he needed to remove from his nose. Only Aussies can call skin cancer symptoms little things. Skin cancer doesn’t care how tough you are, or if your skeleton is made out of metal.

Although basal cell carcinoma is the least fatal form of skin cancer, even a small bullet hurts, right? Like every middle-aged uncle, Hugh also has his opinion on how to beat cancer, “Please wear sunscreen, it is just not worth it, no matter how much you want a tan. Trust me!" Now don’t say “OKAY BOOMER!” to that guys.

Mohs surgery, a complex procedure, has become THAT unwanted in Hugh’s life due to the constant scares but you can make sure you don’t end up in Australia or have basal cell carcinoma (joking).

2. Anurag Basu

Did you know director Anurag Basu, the mastermind behind movies like Barfi and Gangster, faced a real-life villain too? Back in 2004, while filming his superhit movie Tumsa Nahi Dekha, he was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a nasty form of blood cancer.

It was so bad that he had to be taken to Tata Hospital from Lilavati Hospital which is famous for treating high-profile cases. His internals were bleeding and he was completely bloated. His situation was so severe that even his parents stopped visiting him.

Anurag’s interaction with death changed his perspective on life. He remembers the outpouring of support, with people lining up to donate blood as his internal organs bled. “I don’t know whose blood is running in my veins today,” he said, highlighting the incredible generosity of strangers. He even completed the direction of Tumsa Nahi Dekha, from the hospital with the help of Mohit Suri.

He went on to direct blockbusters like Gangster (2006), Life in a…Metro (2007) and Barfi (2012). Looks like a movie about his life would be an equally successful hit.

3. Edie Falco

Edie Falco, the unforgettable Carmela Soprano, wasn't just facing mob drama on screen. Life took a sudden turn for Edie in 2003. She wasn’t expecting a face down with breast cancer, but she proved to be as tough as nails.

She kept the whole situation under wraps while filming "The Sopranos" and went through chemo like a champ. The good news? She beat cancer and went into remission.

This experience, however, was a turning point for Edie. Beating cancer puts things in perspective, right? She realized it was time to stop waiting and focus on what truly mattered. At 40, she did something amazing. Instead of waiting for a partner, she took charge and decided to build a family through adoption. This is the start of a beautiful new chapter for her, and one filled with so much love.

Imagine going to the doctor to check up for a liver issue and being hit with stage four ovarian cancer! If your name is Manisha Koirala, first thanks for reading our blog, then you know how it feels! Despair threatened to consume her, but Manisha and her family were determined to fight whatever darkness had come their way.

Initially, she was having persistent sickness and abdominal bloating, which she thought otherwise. However, that did not turn out to be true! During her ongoing treatment, she felt abandoned by her friends and the film industry which added to her emotional distress.

Hope flickered when Manisha met Dr. Dennis Chi, a renowned surgeon for gynecological cancer. Manisha's story is of incredible courage and a testament to the power of hope and the right medical care. She recalls clinging to her doctor “cutting” away the problem, a quick fix.

But reality struck hard since she was at the final stage of her cancer. It had already spread to her other organs, a process known as metastasis. After the surgery, it was time for chemotherapy. Can you ever imagine the side effects of strong drugs like paclitaxel (Taxol) and cisplatin coursing through her veins for six whole cycles? That’s what she faced after her surgery. Finally, on April 30th, 2013, after her last chemo session, she realized the joy of simple things like feeling the grass underfoot, a cool breeze, and a vibrant sunset, thus finally being able to beat cancer to a deadbeat!

5. Sonali Bendre

Remember Sonali Bendre, the dreamy-eyed beauty from Sarfarosh? Did you know that her life took a terrible turn in 2018? She was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. But Sonali's no damsel in distress. She fought back, rocking treatment in both New York and Mumbai – chemo, surgery, the whole shebang.

And guess what? By January 2019, Sonali was able to beat cancer and be back in India. This journey changed her perspective, reminding her of what truly matters: health and happiness. Now, she's an advocate for cancer awareness, using her story to help others facing similar challenges. She is a true fighter and a beacon of hope indeed!

6. Ben Stiller

Back in 2014, Walter Mitty, we mean Ben Stiller, got some scary news – prostate cancer. Luckily, Ben had been getting yearly check-ups since he was 46. At 48, the doctors found out that there was something fishy about his PSA test result.

Although his PSA levels weren’t through the roof initially, it gradually increased. The usual measurement is 2.5 to 3.5 ng/ml for males within the age group of 40-50 years but for Stiller, it was double that rate by the time he required treatment.

And, because they caught it early, Ben was able to have surgery that helped him to beat cancer! Since then, he has become a real PSA test advocate. You wouldn't expect Walter Mitty to be so practical, but Ben preaches the gospel of yearly check-ups. Sounds like the comedian turned into a health hero - wouldn’t you say?

Sanjay Dutt has had his fair share of run-ins with things that threaten life! After gun scandals and drug abuse, Dutt was slowly coming back to life when he started to experience continuous backache. Like most of us, he resorted to hot water bottles and painkillers until the day he couldn’t breathe anymore!

Sanjay Dutt was taken straight to a Mumbai hospital, where he learned that he had stage four Lung cancer. Seeing his mother Nargis Dutt and ex-wife Richa Sharma succumb to the big C, he gave up hope and said, “If I'm supposed to die, I will just die, but I don't want any treatment."

First, you hear that you have advanced-stage lung cancer, then it happens in the middle of a pandemic, and your family is in another country altogether! No wonder Dutt sounded pessimistic!

Dutt’s initial denial of the diagnosis was met with Dr. Sevanti Limaye’s sincere treatment who was recommended by Rakesh Roshan. Being the typical iconoclast, Dutt even defied the hair fall that accompanies chemotherapy. He had famously said, “Nahi girenge.” (hair will not fall) to himself to stay positive during the process of chemotherapy.

And just like that, merely months after his diagnosis, he was in remission! Talk about plot armor! But what Dutt’s diagnosis and remission taught us is that we shouldn’t lose hope. If mental fortitude helped Dutt save his hair even during chemotherapy, it can certainly help you!

8. Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh rode a wave of glory after India’s epic 2011 World Cup win. But the victory cheers were soon replaced with a scary diagnosis of Seminoma Lung Cancer. One moment he’s a cricketing hero, the next he’s facing a life-threatening illness.

Yuvraj, known for his strong spirit, wouldn’t have gone down without a fight. He was coughing up blood and was having chest pain during the tournament itself but being the gladiator that he is, he won India the CWC. Next month, a doctor’s visit confirmed his worst fears. He had a tumour in his lungs. But there was a twist - the type of cancer he had, comes with a better prognosis if caught early. This became a ray of hope for Yuvraj.

Cricket could wait. Chemotherapy, with its harsh side effects, became his new reality. He flew to the US for treatment, following in the footsteps of cycling legend Lance Armstrong. After undergoing multiple rounds of chemo, Yuvraj returned to India, determined to get back on the field and he succeeded in putting on the blue shirt for three more years.

9. Wanda Syke

American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer Wanda Sykes thought she was getting a routine breast reduction. After the surgery, during the lab work, the doctors found out she had a condition called DCIS [ductal carcinoma in situ]. With a family history of the disease, Wanda went all out for a double mastectomy to eliminate future risks. This is another reminder that catching things early is important. Your body is your best friend, so listen to it!

Wanda even joked about her chest size before the surgery, but her story highlights the importance of why regular screenings are so important. As a celebrity with breast cancer, we can surely call her Wanda Woman!

Remember Rakesh Roshan, Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan’s father who was a superstar himself in the 70s? Well, in 2018, throat cancer had his number. Thankfully, it was caught early (squamous cell carcinoma, that's the technical term). He had a tiny, persistent blister that would throw a wrench into everything. It won’t just go away; a trip to the doctor brought the bombshell he wasn’t expecting. However, this wasn’t going to break him. Sure, there was fear, a flicker of it, when they mentioned surgery that might alter his ability to speak due to a cut in his tongue for grafting. However, that did not happen and he even threw a party on New Year’s Eve, keeping his diagnosis under wraps from his friends.

His son, the super-hunk Hrithik, shared the news on social media. He posted a picture of him and his dad hitting the gym – even on surgery day! Looks like these old-age Bollywood heroes were tougher than we actually give them credit for!

11. Christina Applegate

Christina Applegate's flamboyant world came to a screeching halt at 36 with a breast cancer diagnosis. Having a genetic history of breast cancer, she took it seriously and it paid off.

Even then, the days following the diagnosis were brutal. Even a double mastectomy couldn’t completely outrun the shadow of cancer lurking because of a gene mutation. Christina, unwilling to leave anything to chance, took another proactive step where she removed her ovaries and fallopian tubes to ensure complete respite.

Her story, though, went beyond beating cancer. Seeing young women skip MRIs due to cost fueled her advocacy. Her platform, Right Action For Women, helped others to take control of their health – a true inspiration from Hollywood's "Bad Mom" turned breast cancer boss.

12. Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong’s story is a wild ride. By his teens, he was crushing triathlons and swimming competitions. Before he even graduated high school, he was recruited by the US Cycling Federation. He racked up his wins at the Junior World Championships and dominated the US Amateur Circuit. Turning pro in 1992, he quickly became a star, but fate had a nasty surprise waiting for him. Yes! We are talking about testicular cancer. It spread like wildfire through his lungs, lymph nodes, and even his brain!

But Lance wasn't one to back down. He tackled his treatment with the same ferocity he brought to bike races. Beat cancer? Check! Return to cycling and win the Tour de France a whopping seven times in a row? Double check!

Lance’s story takes a sharp turn later on. He faced some challenges that overshadowed his incredible athletic achievements. Yes! We are talking about his doping scandals. Yet, Lance started the Livestrong Foundation in 1997. This organization has raised over half a BILLION dollars to support people and families surviving cancer. That's a legacy that continues even today. So, while the cycling trophies may be gone, the fight against cancer lives on!

Sharon Osbourne is a tough one, through and through! Back in the early 2000s, colon cancer decided to get ahold of her. But Sharon wasn’t about to go down so easily. She even documented her whole journey on her crazy family's reality show, "The Osbournes".

Fast forward a decade, and another scare. Tests showed that she had a high risk of being marked as one of the breast cancer celebrities. Sharon wasn't waiting around – "No thanks to that cloud," she basically said, and opted for a double mastectomy. Hence, she was able to beat cancer through her resilience and of course with the help of her treatment procedures

14. Giuliana Rancic

Think about going on with your life, 36 years old, and BAM! You are known to be yet another one of the celebrities with cancer, breast cancer to be precise! That's exactly what Giuliana Rancic, the E! News host, faced in 2011. She has no family history with regard to any form of cancer, and on top of that, she was going through IVF treatment.

At this point, we should just change the headline to “Celebrities with breast cancer”. Famous E! News host Giuliana Rancic was also diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2011. She was going through IVF treatment but in a cruel turn of fate, she found out that she had breast cancer.

Despite a complete lumpectomy, it didn't remove all the cancer. So, she went for a double mastectomy and beat cancer. Eight years later, she's still cancer-free and uses her platform FAB-U-WISH to highlight a crucial point: the role of caregivers in cancer treatment.

"It's not just the patient who needs support," Giuliana says. "The spouses, partners, family – they're the backbone through this whole journey, and they often don't know where to begin." She also welcomed her son Duke Rancic through a surrogacy programme in 2012.

15. Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda faced cancer multiple times. In 2022, she revealed non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is currently undergoing chemo. This wasn't her first rodeo - she had a cancerous growth removed from her lip in 2018 and battled breast cancer in 2010. Despite ongoing treatment, the Hollywood veteran is an inspiration. She's open about her experiences. Currently, she is in remission and in her own words, “I don't have diseases—I've had cancer, but that's different.” No Jane, YOU are different.

In conclusion, these 15 incredible celebrities didn’t just survive cancer, they beat it! We don’t know what it takes to fight this beast, but these folks have it in spades.

Even with treatment, the road to recovery is tough. But these survivors are an inspiration.

From Bollywood actors like Sanjay Dutt and Manisha Koirala to Hollywood stars like Ben Stiller and Christina Applegate, this list proves cancer doesn’t discriminate. The fighting spirit is the one thing that unites them all. Whether raising awareness like Lance Armstrong or advocating for check-ups like Ben Stiller, these celebrities are using their voice to make a difference.

Even against a tough opponent like cancer, so many incredible people fight back and win. These 15 warriors are living proof that you can beat cancer, reclaim your health, and keep rocking life.