
In recent years, we have had Ben Stiller (prostate), Olivia Newton-John (Breast), Fran Drescher (uterine), Hugh Jackman (skin) and many other celebrities share about their cancer experience.
How does their story affect you?
When celebrities get cancer how is it portrayed by the media?
Is there a celebrity’s story that stands out to you? If so, please share the impact it had.
I was re-watching the final season of Sex and the City when my partner was diagnosed with cancer. One of the characters on SATC, Samantha, goes through breast cancer treatment in the final season, so I was watching Samantha's cancer storyline in the early days of my partner's diagnosis. I know it's not quite the same as being inspired by a real person, but how her character experienced cancer but managed to keep her sense of style and humour throughout inspired me a lot.
Having cancer makes people feel shamed, dirty, diseased and worst. Seeing others talk openly relieves some of that burden and makes people feel more "normal" again.
So for me, I guess it's not a question of any particular celebrity's story that has impacted me, but more the fact and awareness that cancer does not care who you are.
I am thrilled to see foundations and such set up by many celebrities to help with cancer research and treatment. Most have a wealth that many of us don't have, so I am glad they are helping out, financially.
I too carry the BRCA1 gene mutation, carried on my Dad's side of the family. I think 2 of my cousins in the UK have it too. I think my testing specifically looked for BRCA1, and I still ponder getting the fuller testing done, to see if there is anything lurking in my family history. I am the 11th person in our family to have cancer, and the last one standing. As soon as I was done chemo, I had a double mastectomy (4 months after my lumpectomy surgery), and then 4 months later I also had a complete hysterectomy and BSO.
I sometimes get called Angelina's Canadian Cousin. Like her, I have been fairly open and vocal about my story so far. The only people I have kept the BRCA mutation from are my two children. They were 9 & 7 when I was diagnosed, and will not be able to get tested until they are 18. My daughter is 13 now, and still worries about every medical appointment I have, and worries that the cancer will return. I cannot imagine telling her that there is a 50% chance that she too carries the gene, as I know she will focus on the 50% that she has it and not the 50% chance that she doesn't. Time enough for these conversations when she is older, and more able to process what it could mean for her.
Steff
i find Olivia Newton Johns public statements about breast cancer, odd. She has metastatic breast cancer, but appears reluctant to acknowledge that. It would bring a lot of attention to this type of cancer, perhaps money and research, if there was someone who spoke openly about the trials and tribulations of terminal illness and ongoing treatment. Think of the difference Michael J Fox has made for Parkinson’s disease.
Elizabeth06:
I agree with Ttjia , the stories of individuals I have met on this site or in my daily life are more inspiring, or have greater impact on my outlook than celebrities.
i find Olivia Newton Johns public statements about breast cancer, odd. She has metastatic breast cancer, but appears reluctant to acknowledge that. It would bring a lot of attention to this type of cancer, perhaps money and research, if there was someone who spoke openly about the trials and tribulations of terminal illness and ongoing treatment. Think of the difference Michael J Fox has made for Parkinson’s disease.
Like us regular folk, each 'celebrity' have their querks..like us! Some are prepaired to discuss, other like me, are open. Breasts & prostate, both sexual, some find these too sensitive.
I have been experiencing lots of side effects from radiation and it doesn't feel so good. If I had known all the facts as they really are, I would have thought twice before going through it. My girlfriend had a mastectomy - her choice - a reconstructing surgery and didn't have to do the radiation or chemo only tamoxifen for 5 years. she is very happy she did because she has beautiful breasts now (implants) and she is almost at the end of 5 years and cancer free. Maybe it is a better choice for those of us who are hormone positive.
And talk about celebrities, Susan Sommers was and still is an advocate of bioidentical hormone therapy and I took it for 7 years with all the commotion about it and this is actually what brought on my breast cancer (or so I have been told). I read recently that there is no real difference between the regular HRT and the bioidenticals - it's all the same only the bioidenticals are more "trendy", so maybe you girls should think twice about taking them. Yeah they make you feel better when you are going through menopause, but they also cause cancer.
It is what it is and I am dealing with it as best as I can, but this is definitely an eye opener. Life is just too short to waste on negative thoughts. Every moment spent on negativity, is one less moment to enjoy life and be happy. I am taking one day at a time and trying to think about the rest of my life rather than dwelling on the past and the should haves/could haves.
There have been the famous people like Terry Fox - who did so much for cancer fund raising and are a true Canadian hero. But, some of the stories that have had the greatest impact on me are those we read about on here - or within my community. "Ordinary" people - who have other challenges - maybe financial, maybe personal, maybe just the curves that life throws us and how they then cope with a cancer diagnosis. I heard about a single mom of 3, now diagnosed with breast cancer - finding ways to be present as a mom all the while dealing with cancer side effects. Or in our community a local teacher in the middle of breast cancer treatment and her son is diagnosed with leukemia...true inspirations.
What i would like to see from our "celebrities" are women who didn't get reconstruction - images of women who went "flat" / or only have one breast now or embraced their scars - rather then the societal pressures of returning to "normal" after cancer. Cancer can take a lot from us - sometimes body parts - but we are still here...our souls are here and alive.
I think also hearing stories of people living with metastatic cancer would be so empowering. Cancer lifers....are so important to hear...I heard the term "thrivers" and thought that was so wonderful. We may not "survive" cancer but we can thrive.
Look forward to reading other comments!! Kim
Kathy Bates was on the Dr. Phil show within the past couple weeks. She’s had breast cancer and really bad lymphadema. He also interviewed her on his podcast show. If you have On Demand on your cable service, some of you might want to look up the interview on the show or the podcast (I’ve only seen the show.) Apparently this was her second bout with cancer.
As someone else pointed out, celebrities are in the position to raise funds, spread the word, and advocate because they have a platform that isn’t available to us, and often they have resources that aren’t available to us! But I think it’s safe to say that we’re all doing our bit in those departments.
Anwar Knight, formerly of the Weather Channel and now with CTV, also is a cancer survivor.
It is also encouraging to hear from others like us (who are stars to our families and friends...and possibly beyond). This way you know you are on the same playing field. No one is getting preferential treatment. Everyone is basically getting the same level of care.
In the end, we are inspired by the people who we can identify with and who we admire. Some stories hit closer to home than others. Some stories just have an impact on you based on how the story is told.
Regardless, anyone who can inspire you and make you feel better about your cancer experience is a bonus.
Debbie (cancertakesflight)
In any case he continued publishing articles during his illness. I admire his dedication to his writing. He was concerned that people might lie about him, and claim he had a deathbed conversion to Christianity. Something similar happened to Darwin, who didn't have cancer, (that we know of), when the home helper claimed he converted back to Christianity.
Terry Fox wasn't a celebrity until he developed cancer. The cancer that he had is now mostly survivable. His reaction, planning a run across Canada, is very bold and inspiring.
Quebec premier Robert Bourassa, died from cancer, around the time of the Oka Crisis, and I remember hearing that he had delayed treatments, to try and resolve the crisis. So it's inspirational that he took his job very seriously, but it's still a 'what if,' as we can't really know if earlier treatment would have helped.
I want to share some important information that I hope will help you on your road to recovery
I was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2009 and had 6 treatments of Chemo it was in the aggressive stage so the Doctor had to give me aggressive treatments, lost every hair on my body and even some toe nails and finger nails. In July of 2018 I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. My wife is a nurse and during my fight with Lymphoma she gave me the best advise possible "Do not compare your situation with anyone else" We all have different experiences. now I am not saying that anything you see on the TV , Movies and celebrity experiences is not helpful. This is part of making good decisions about things that may be helpful to you on your journey.
For me it was concentrating on the fact that I wanted to be alive to enjoy my family especially my grandchildren.
I also filled my life with uplifting music. Which is a path to the soul
I also listened to motivational speakers
But most important for me and hopefully for others is realizing that we can draw from our inner strength to conquer anything that is thrown at us.
And then there is Love which is sometime used without knowing its meaning Love is Respect and Forgiveness
I hope everyone uses this Love when dealing with Cancer no matter your role
With Love SpeedyStill
jennifer_m:
Not a celebrity but a well-known TV character, so I hope this counts.
I was re-watching the final season of Sex and the City when my partner was diagnosed with cancer. One of the characters on SATC, Samantha, goes through breast cancer treatment in the final season, so I was watching Samantha's cancer storyline in the early days of my partner's diagnosis. I know it's not quite the same as being inspired by a real person, but how her character experienced cancer but managed to keep her sense of style and humour throughout inspired me a lot.
Neil Peart
"It is with broken hearts and the deepest sadness that we must share the terrible news that on Tuesday (January 07/20) our friend, soul brother and band mate of over 45 years, Neil, has lost his incredibly brave three and a half year battle with brain cancer (Glioblastoma). We ask that friends, fans, and media alike understandably respect the family’s need for privacy and peace at this extremely painful and difficult time. Rest in peace brother". Neil Peart September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020
A fitting Resurrection of this thread from just one year ago. The quote I shared above is from the website Rush.com RUSH, for those not in the know, are / were one of Canada's best Rock Bands, that took the stage way back in1974. I remember - I was there. The band officially retired in 2015.
What is important here is that very selfless message the Band wanted to share in the quote: Those wishing to express their condolences can choose a cancer research group or charity of their choice and make a donation in Neil Peart’s name. This is the positive impact fame, being mourned and being remembered can have in making the world a better place for so many. Neil Peart's death is tragic and sad. No more or less than that of any of our loved ones. But this is the lasting huge positive impact of the message he, his family and his Band Mates chose to send out to the world in his memory. To donate to a cancer research group or charity.
Thank you Neil, the Peart family, and RUSH for your message. A donation in your name is on the way from me.
ACH2015
In my case it has been Alex Trebeck's example of making the best of a terrible diagnosis. His openness stands an example. Here is the W5 interview that he did a few months ago. https://youtu.be/p6PByjRnmh4
Angus