Breast Cancer Changed The Lives Of These Black Celebrities Forever
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
According to nationalbreastcancer.org, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. That doesn’t limit the disease’s effects to just women. Many men lose their mothers, sisters and even develop the disease.
The following celebrities already know it’s important to spread awareness to others, since they have all been affected in some way by breast cancer.
Peep the list after the jump.
Lil Mama
The rapper became an advocate for breast cancer awareness after the loss of her mother to the disease in 2007.
Nas
The beloved mother of the hip hop legend lost her battle with breast cancer in 2002.
Ruby Dee
The actress became a symbol of survival after winning her battle with the disease decades before she passed.
Richard Roundtree
The actor surprised many by revealing he was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993. Less than 1% of the male population suffers from the disease but Roundtree is an example of it still being possible.
Diahan Carroll
At 63, Carroll’s breast cancer diagnosis shocked her, but today she serves as an advocate for awareness.
Nina Simone
The late great singer suffered from breast cancer for many years before passing in 2003.
Nelson Mandela
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Zoleka Mandela, the grand-daughter of Nelson Mandela disclosed details of her double mastectomy in a memoir, hoping to shed light on the serious disease.
Vanessa Bell Calloway
The actress found out she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and underwent a double mastectomy.
Robin Roberts
The journalist opened up about her breast cancer journey up to the world after her diagnosis in 2007. She remains an advocate for breast cancer awareness today.
Wanda Sykes
The comedian underwent a voluntary breast reduction when doctors discovered she had cancerous cells in her left breast. She was very lucky.
Lenny Kravitz
Roxie Roker, mother of the rockstar, pushed boundaries on the TV show “The Jeffersons.” She died of breast cancer in 1995 at the age of 66.
Pam Grier
The actress was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988 and credits Chinese medicine with helping her cure herself.
Patti Labelle
The singer has never been diagnosed with breast cancer, but she’s lost three sisters to the disease. She’s extremely health conscious because of it.
Wenn, Shutterstock, Instagram
