Cancer is a disease that affects millions across the globe. Just the word strikes terror into our hearts and souls. Even though a lot of us don’t know much about the disease, we associate cancer with death, sorrow, and pain.
However, there are many people who have fought cancer and emerged victorious. Many women across the world have. Here are some inspirational celebs who beat cancer and gave the whole world a huge dose of inspiration.
1. Mumtaz
Image Credit: Instagram/tanyamadhvani
At 54 years old, the Bollywood icon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. She underwent six chemotherapies and 35 radiation therapies! She beat cancer with an indomitable attitude and said, “I don’t give up easily. Even death will have to fight me.”
2. Barbara Mori
Image Credit: Instagram/delamori
The Mexican actor who starred opposite Hrithik Roshan in Kites was diagnosed with breast cancer at 29 years old. She, along with other cancer survivors like Lisa Ray, came together to star in a documentary called ‘1 a Minute,’ where she spoke about her fight with cancer.
3. Sonali Bendre
Image Credit: instagram/iamsonalibendre
Sonali Bendre was diagnosed with metastatic cancer in 2018. She underwent treatment for it in New York. Instead of being sad, Sonali says that she would rather spend her time with hope and with those she loves.
4. Tahira Kashyap
Image Credit: Instagram/tahirakashyap
Tahira Kashyap was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. The film maker, married to Ayushmann Khurrana, has been an inspiration for many as she openly talks about her battle with cancer. She has posted pictures of her ‘battle scars’ on social media as well.
5. Olivia Newton-John
Image Credit: Instagram/therealonj
In 1992, the actor successfully fought breast cancer and survived. She shared her experiences, the good and the bad, through her ‘Gaia: One Woman’s Journey.’ She also inaugurated the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre in Melbourne post her recovery.
6. Manisha Koirala
Image Credit: Instagram/m-koirala
The Bollywood actor was diagnosed with ovarian cancer back in 2012. She traveled half the world to find treatment that would help her recover from the stage IV cancer she was diagnosed with. She never gave up hope, and has been a proud survivor for many years now.
Many women who have been diagnosed with cancer talk about their battle openly online, and these conversations are critical not only because they give hope to others, but also because they help other patients and survivors navigate tricky terrains with a little more confidence.
A lot of these celebrities have used their influence and popularity to talk about cancer and how they beat it and we need more people openly talking about beating the disease.
Social and lead image credit: Instagram/iamsonalibendre and Instagram/delamori
