5 Celebs Who Have Inspired Us With Their Powerful Cancer Journeys

Understandably, some celebrities choose to keep their cancer experiences private. The late Chadwick Boseman, for example, never publicly disclosed his diagnosis before his passing. There's nothing wrong with that either, as everyone has the right to deal with their health their own way. However, other famous faces prefer to use their platform to speak out, sharing their inspiring journeys in their own words. "Celebrities are sometimes viewed as untouchable, with the perception that bad things such as cancer cannot happen to them. However, when they share their stories, we are reminded that anyone can get cancer. This helps raise awareness," Jonathan Stegall, MD, an integrative oncologist, exclusively tells us. 

"When celebrities speak out about their experiences, they are using their platform to educate the public about their diagnosis. This can motivate others to have a more proactive approach to their health, including having necessary healthcare visits and screening tests," Dr. Stegall continues, noting that knowing someone else is going through the same, or a very similar, experience can bring a lot of comfort to those going through dark times. "If [those diagnosed] can be inspired by hearing someone else's story, especially a celebrity, that can be very powerful," he says. And there are many celebrities who have inspired us with their powerful cancer battles, speaking candidly about their diagnosis, treatment, and the impact it had on their life without letting it define them.

In April 2015, Rita Wilson shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. According to an exclusive statement shared with People Magazine, the actor confirmed she had undergone a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. "I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery. Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion," she said (via People), encouraging others not to settle if they feel something isn't right with their health. For some, it may also be a good idea to get genetic testing to gauge your breast cancer risk.

Wilson used the scary time to reset how she approaches life. "What I learned was that each day is so precious and so valuable, and life is so fragile. I really do not want to live one day not telling the people I love that I love them, not finding joy in everything I do, and not without a huge sense of gratitude that I get to be creative ... and do the things that I love to do," she told WebMD. "It's really about not taking anything for granted."

She also shared her diagnosis pushed her to move out of her comfort zone and pursue a career as a musician. Wilson shared she'd always had a passion for music, but her desire to create had always taken a back seat to her acting career. But no more.

Former "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Teddi Mellencamp has been extremely open about her cancer battle, which began in 2022 when she was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma. Mellencamp underwent several surgeries and shared in 2024 that doctors had removed 16 melanomas. "Obviously, I am grateful for my team of doctors who continue to give me the most thorough care. But part of me just wants to scream, 'When will this be over for good!?'" the reality star candidly wrote on Instagram.

Tragically, Mellencamp's cancer journey continued in 2025 when she had four brain tumors removed. In a March Instagram update, she shared some couldn't be taken out and sadly confirmed she also had two in her lungs. "These are all metastases of my melanoma," she confirmed, telling Us Weekly a month later that four more brain tumors were found. "I'm fighting for my life. But also for my family's life and all the people I love," she said. Thankfully, in an April Instagram update, she shared uplifting news. "All tumors stage 4 (metastasized melanoma in my brain and lungs) shrunk or disappeared," she wrote.

But the incredibly brave TV star refused to let cancer take over her life. Mellencamp, who's repeatedly shown her cancer scars for a good cause, continued her podcast with fellow Real Housewife Tamra Judge and even began a new romance. She shared on "Two Ts In A Pod," [5:29], "We go to workouts together, we've gone on dates, he's been really nice, he's very kind to me."

"Today"'s Jill Martin has been very vocal about her cancer experience and why she made it public. Martin was diagnosed in 2023 and told People, "Having the platform to share my story has given me strength, because I feel like while I'm healing, I will be able to help literally save lives. And if I save one life from this, then this process will have been worth it for me." She later told People how early detection helped her, explaining if her breast cancer had not be discovered that year, it would not have been curable.

Martin underwent a double mastectomy, reconstructive surgery, had lymph nodes removed, four months of chemotherapy, three weeks of radiation, and her ovaries and fallopian tubes taken out. She was confirmed to be cancer-free in 2023 and used her tough experience to live a healthier lifestyle — but she didn't let it stop her thriving at work. "I would do my segments on the 'Today' show and then I'd head straight over to get my chemo. I mean, it's hell," she said, but it sure was inspiring.

The difficult period turned into something beautiful, too. "I'm thriving every day. I'm happier than ever. I'm more content than ever. And I'm more confident," she said almost two years after her diagnosis. 

Former "The Bachelorette" star Katie Thurston took fans along for every step of her breast cancer journey. The reality star confirmed her diagnosis on Instagram in February 2025, sharing she decided to share her cancer publicly because other people's stories helped her following her diagnosis. "I intend to be the same for others. This is day one of sharing and is going to be a long one. This first step of acceptance of my reality was the hardest. But I am ready to fight this," she wrote.

She later confirmed via Instagram Stories her breast cancer was HER2-negative so she was unable to have chemotherapy. "Instead I'll be on Letrozole + Kisqali + Zoladex as my first line of treatment," she shared (via Us Weekly). Thurston was also incredibly candid about the side-effects while keeping fans informed via regular social media videos. "I just finished my second month of treatment and if you're asking how long treatment is, technically forever," she said in a June 2025 Instagram video. "I am optimistic about medical advancements in the future. Fingers crossed as a stage 4 girlie."

But she didn't let cancer stomp on her dreams. In March 2025, Thurston moved up her wedding with Jeff Arcuri. "You would think it would cause more tribulation or problems between you, but it's bonded us more than anything else," she told Us Weekly. Thurston's story reminds us how important regular mammograms are, so we answered all your burning mammogram questions.

Diem Brown was very open about her cancer before her heartbreaking, untimely death. The late TV personality was diagnosed with stage 2 ovarian cancer in 2005 and fought it in front of the world. She had surgery to remove one ovary, part of her fallopian tube, and a few lymph nodes, but was still determined to still compete on "The Challenge." "After I was diagnosed, I knew that if cancer kept me from going, I'd be so depressed heading into treatment. My doctor gave me some rules, but he said I could do whatever I felt up for. I know it sounds cheesy, but I felt doing the show would give me the strength to get through cancer," she told Glamour. The brave star also revealed why she remained so positive in the face of the disease. "I realized I can go through this and be sad and vengeful, or I can try to find the good in it and help other people," she said.

Though Brown beat cancer the first time, it tragically returned in 2012. She went into remission again the following year and appeared on "The Challenge" again, despite her chemotherapy ending just two weeks prior. "I mentally needed to get back to who I was as a person without all the surgeries, doctors offices and tests," she told Fox News. Heartbreakingly, cancer returned for the third time in 2014. During her final appearance on "The Challenge," she poignantly said (via People), "No matter how organized your ducks are, life can turn on two seconds. So, you can't keep on waiting. Because, if you keep on waiting, it's gone."