Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting millions worldwide. As per the data by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2022, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 670,000 deaths globally. Breast cancer occurs in every country of the world in women at any age after puberty but with increasing rates in later life. Approximately 99 per cent of breast cancers occur in women and 0.5–1 per cent of breast cancers occur in men.

There is no one specific reason behind the increasing cases of breast cancer but many. As per WHO, certain factors increase the risk of breast cancer including increasing age, obesity, harmful use of alcohol, family history of breast cancer, history of radiation exposure, reproductive history (such as age that menstrual periods began and age at first pregnancy), tobacco use and postmenopausal hormone therapy. Approximately half of breast cancers develop in women who have no identifiable breast cancer risk factor other than gender (female) and age (over 40 years).

Though breast cancer can break your spirit, there are some celebrities who have embraced their scars, fought like a warrior and come out victorious. Celebrities like Tahira Kashyap, Hina Khan, Chhavi Mittal, Kathy Bates, Olivia Munn, and Mahima Chaudhary are living inspirations and have been vocal about their journey.

Tahira Kashyap was 35 years old when she first found out she had cancer. She was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer, a precancerous stage. Stage 0 cancers are limited to the inside of the milk duct and are non-invasive (do not invade nearby tissues). It is also called Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). She didn't hide her diagnosis, instead documented, and shared her journey to inspire other women. She has also posted pictures of herself going bald, and the scars on her body, stressing that it is nothing to be ashamed of.

In media interactions, she stated that she had undergone mammograms twice and suggested that if any woman sees any symptom – they should consider it as a protective sign and get examined. “Do not become an ostrich if you feel something is wrong. The wrong only gets detected timely if you take action towards it,” Tahira wrote on breast cancer awareness. Her treatment was completed in January 2019.

Hina Khan’s post about her being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer came as nothing less than a shock to everyone. From celebrities to her near and dear ones, everyone stood by her. She took to Instagram to share the news of her stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis. Her Instagram post read “To address the recent rumour, I want to share some important news with all the Hinaholics and everyone who loves and cares for me. I have been diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer". The post further added that her treatment has already started, and she is determined to overcome the disease. She keeps her fans posted about her fight with breast cancer. She recently shared a post where her one last eyelash can be seen. Her caption read “Once part of a mighty and beautiful brigade that adorned my eyes. My genetically long and beautiful lashes..This BRAVE, LONE WARRIOR my last standing eyelash has fought it all beside me. Nearing the last cycle of my Chemo, this single eyelash is my MOTIVATION. We shall see this through.”

Earlier this year, Hollywood actor Olivia Munn said that she had received a breast cancer diagnosis the previous year, following a typical mammogram. She credited her doctor with referring her for an MRI based on several risk factors, including a family history of breast cancer. That MRI led to an ultrasound and biopsy, which confirmed her diagnosis. She recently took to Instagram where she posted about how she was done being insecure about her mastectomy scars. “I decided I was done being insecure about my mastectomy scars. Every mark life has left behind on my body is proof of how hard I fought. I hope other women who have been self-conscious about their scars see these photos and feel all the love I’m sending,” an excerpt from her post read.

Kathy Bates

Over the years Kathy has gone from being very private about her health issues to serving as a national advocate in support of lymphedema awareness and funding for research. Both Kathy’s mother and niece had breast cancer, and her aunt died from the disease, when her own Stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis was made she knew she was not going to fool around with it. Kathy once famously said, “Breast cancer runs like a river through my family”—and she didn’t assume she would be okay. Her test to see if she had a genetic predisposition to cancer was negative, yet there still appeared to be a higher familial risk of breast cancer. So she opted for a double mastectomy to reduce the risk of a cancer recurrence in the future.

As a result of her mastectomies, Kathy suffers from lymphedema—a condition that can occur when lymph nodes are removed or damaged in surgery, resulting in a collection of fluid in the arms. She has been very outspoken about lymphedema, becoming a national spokesperson for the Lymphatic Education and Research Network, and also meeting with members of Congress about the need for additional lymphatic research.

Kathy has also been outspoken about “going flat” after her surgery. If she doesn’t have to wear her breast prostheses for an acting role, she doesn’t!

A final quote from Kathy sums up her attitude gained from her cancer journey: “I’m just grateful to have been born at a time when the research made it possible for me to survive. I feel so incredibly lucky to be alive,” she said in a media interaction.

In April 2022, Chhavi Mittal revealed that she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. She underwent surgery and later came out victorious and cancer-free. All through her diagnosis, she shared her recovery journey on social media which has inspired many. She now urges women to go for early screening and annual follow-ups regardless of their age. She has also shared her pictures where her scars are visible.

Known for her roles in films such as Dhadkan, Pardes and Lajja, Mahima Chaudhary revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She shared the news through an emotional video which was posted by actor Anupam Kher. Mahima shares that it was detected in her annual health checkup. She had to undergo chemotherapy and regular checkups but as of now she is cancer-free and her treatment is complete.

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