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World Cancer Day | Here's a look at celebrities who fought and survived the disease

On World Cancer Day, let us look at famous personalities who fought the disease with hope, will power and courage, and at the same time, raised awareness and education about it.
On World Cancer Day, let us look at famous personalities who fought the disease with hope, willpower and courage, and at the same time, raised awareness and education about it.
On World Cancer Day, let us look at famous personalities who fought the disease with hope, willpower and courage, and at the same time, raised awareness and education about it.
TNIE online desk
Updated on: 
2 min read
GAUTAMI TADIMALLA: The actress has been at the forefront of raising cancer awareness through her ‘Life Again Foundation’. She faced the disease at the age of 35 and recovered from it after a long battle. Recently, actor Kamal Haasan, her former partner, revealed that they had both shaved their heads to make their daughter (then aged 5) cope with the situation. She has issued a call on social media for cancer survivors and patients to share their stories. (File Photo)
GAUTAMI TADIMALLA: The actress has been at the forefront of raising cancer awareness through her ‘Life Again Foundation’. She faced the disease at the age of 35 and recovered from it after a long battle. Recently, actor Kamal Haasan, her former partner, revealed that they had both shaved their heads to make their daughter (then aged 5) cope with the situation. She has issued a call on social media for cancer survivors and patients to share their stories. (File Photo)
MANISHA KOIRALA: The recipient of four Filmfare Awards, Manisha Koirala, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012. She underwent treatment for six months in the US and since 2015, has been completely free of the disease and returned to films. She is a vocal advocate of healthy food and lifestyle habits and has narrated her experience on several platforms. (File Photo)
MANISHA KOIRALA: The recipient of four Filmfare Awards, Manisha Koirala, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012. She underwent treatment for six months in the US and since 2015, has been completely free of the disease and returned to films. She is a vocal advocate of healthy food and lifestyle habits and has narrated her experience on several platforms. (File Photo)
MUMTAZ: The veteran Hindi actress who gave up acting at the age of 26 after her marriage, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 54 and fought it after several chemotherapy sessions. In her 60s now, the actress, who resides in London with her husband, has returned to a healthier version of herself after following a disciplined fitness routine. (File Photo)
MUMTAZ: The veteran Hindi actress who gave up acting at the age of 26 after her marriage, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 54 and fought it after several chemotherapy sessions. In her 60s now, the actress, who resides in London with her husband, has returned to a healthier version of herself after following a disciplined fitness routine. (File Photo)
MAMTA MOHANDAS: The Malayalam actress fought a seven-year long battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer that affects the body’s lymph nodes. She was first diagnosed with it in 2009 and returned to films after almost two years where she had to face a divorce as well. She had a relapse in 2013 after her bone marrow transplant failed. In 2016, she was part of a clinical trial in the US where the FDA gave accelerated approval to a drug called nivolumab (Opdivo) for treatment of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma that has relapsed or progressed. With the disease successfully under control now, she was recently seen in the acclaimed 'Carbon' starring Fahadh Faasil. (File Photo)
MAMTA MOHANDAS: The Malayalam actress fought a seven-year long battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer that affects the body’s lymph nodes. She was first diagnosed with it in 2009 and returned to films after almost two years where she had to face a divorce as well. She had a relapse in 2013 after her bone marrow transplant failed. In 2016, she was part of a clinical trial in the US where the FDA gave accelerated approval to a drug called nivolumab (Opdivo) for treatment of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma that has relapsed or progressed. With the disease successfully under control now, she was recently seen in the acclaimed 'Carbon' starring Fahadh Faasil. (File Photo)
YUVRAJ SINGH: The all-rounder who hit six sixes in a row, announced in 2012 that he was suffering from mediastinal seminoma, a germ-cell tumour located between his two lungs. The condition is neither lung cancer nor a tumour that had spread into the lungs. Mediastinal seminoma is a rare tumour which forms less than 1% of cancers on the whole. He underwent treatment in the US and posted updates on social networking sites. After his long drawn battle, he returned to the field and also wrote a book on his cancer struggle – The Test of My Life. He married actress Hazel Keech in 2016. (File Photo)
YUVRAJ SINGH: The all-rounder who hit six sixes in a row, announced in 2012 that he was suffering from mediastinal seminoma, a germ-cell tumour located between his two lungs. The condition is neither lung cancer nor a tumour that had spread into the lungs. Mediastinal seminoma is a rare tumour which forms less than 1% of cancers on the whole. He underwent treatment in the US and posted updates on social networking sites. After his long drawn battle, he returned to the field and also wrote a book on his cancer struggle – The Test of My Life. He married actress Hazel Keech in 2016. (File Photo)
HUGH JACKMAN: The Wolverine star last year said that he had another basal cell carcinoma cut from his nose - the sixth skin cancer removed from his face in two years. The actor first revealed he had some cancerous cells removed in November 2013 after a makeup artist noticed a little spot of blood on his nose while he was filming 'X Men: Days of Future Past'. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and the most common form of cancer in humans and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Jackman has never let it affect his spirit and continues delivering brilliant performances like in the recent hit film 'A Great Showman'. (File Photo)
HUGH JACKMAN: The Wolverine star last year said that he had another basal cell carcinoma cut from his nose - the sixth skin cancer removed from his face in two years. The actor first revealed he had some cancerous cells removed in November 2013 after a makeup artist noticed a little spot of blood on his nose while he was filming 'X Men: Days of Future Past'. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and the most common form of cancer in humans and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Jackman has never let it affect his spirit and continues delivering brilliant performances like in the recent hit film 'A Great Showman'. (File Photo)
ANURAG BASU The Barfi director was suffering from acute promyelocytic leukemia, a type of blood cancer, in 2004. Doctors had reportedly predicted that his chances of survival were only 50 per cent. He wrote the scripts of Life in a Metro and Gangster during this period and directed some parts of Tumsa Nahi Dekha from the hospital. He last directed the Katrina Kaif-Ranbir Kapoor starrer Jagga Jasoos and is seen on several TV reality shows as a judge. His childlike antics and positive spirit, which are found in his characters as well, are inspiring. (File Photo)
ANURAG BASU The Barfi director was suffering from acute promyelocytic leukemia, a type of blood cancer, in 2004. Doctors had reportedly predicted that his chances of survival were only 50 per cent. He wrote the scripts of Life in a Metro and Gangster during this period and directed some parts of Tumsa Nahi Dekha from the hospital. He last directed the Katrina Kaif-Ranbir Kapoor starrer Jagga Jasoos and is seen on several TV reality shows as a judge. His childlike antics and positive spirit, which are found in his characters as well, are inspiring. (File Photo)
LISA RAY: The 'Water' actress is one of the most well-known crusaders for cancer awareness today. In 2009, she was diagnosed with the rare multiple myeloma (cancer of the white blood cells which destroys the bone marrow). In her blog, The Yellow Diaries, she posted details of her treatment and pictures of her hair shaven off. In 2010, after a successful stem cell transplant, Lisa announced that she was cancer-free. She champions the cause of the little-known disease, for which she helped raise funds for its research. In one of her many unique campaigns, she chronicled her life, love, and cancer experiences through sarees. The ‘Ray of Hope’ collection can be either draped as a sari or can be used as artwork. Ray is not completely cured of the disease as it is incurable and maintains a very healthy diet and lifestyle. (File Photo)
LISA RAY: The 'Water' actress is one of the most well-known crusaders for cancer awareness today. In 2009, she was diagnosed with the rare multiple myeloma (cancer of the white blood cells which destroys the bone marrow). In her blog, The Yellow Diaries, she posted details of her treatment and pictures of her hair shaven off. In 2010, after a successful stem cell transplant, Lisa announced that she was cancer-free. She champions the cause of the little-known disease, for which she helped raise funds for its research. In one of her many unique campaigns, she chronicled her life, love, and cancer experiences through sarees. The ‘Ray of Hope’ collection can be either draped as a sari or can be used as artwork. Ray is not completely cured of the disease as it is incurable and maintains a very healthy diet and lifestyle. (File Photo)
BARBARA MORI: Mori, who made her Bollywood debut with Hrithik Roshan in 'Kites' is a cancer survivor. The Uruguayan born Mexican actress, model, producer and writer was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a cancer of plasma cells) in 2009 in its early stage. In 2010, she later appeared in Namrata Singh Gujral's documentary '1 a Minute' where she talked about her survival against cancer along with fellow cancer survivors Lisa Ray, Mumtaz and others. The actress, who got married recently, believes the film will create consciousness in women to take care of themselves and get regular medical check-ups. (File Photo)
BARBARA MORI: Mori, who made her Bollywood debut with Hrithik Roshan in 'Kites' is a cancer survivor. The Uruguayan born Mexican actress, model, producer and writer was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a cancer of plasma cells) in 2009 in its early stage. In 2010, she later appeared in Namrata Singh Gujral's documentary '1 a Minute' where she talked about her survival against cancer along with fellow cancer survivors Lisa Ray, Mumtaz and others. The actress, who got married recently, believes the film will create consciousness in women to take care of themselves and get regular medical check-ups. (File Photo)
LANCE ARMSTRONG: The professional road racing cyclist with seven consecutive titles in the Tour de France bicycle race was diagnosed in 1996 at the age of 25 with stage three testicular cancer, which spread to his brain, lungs and abdomen. Fortunately for Lance, testicular cancer is one of the most curable solid tumour cancers even when it has spread well beyond its original site as they are very sensitive to chemotherapy, unlike other cancer types. However, in 2012 after an infamous doping scandal where he was charged with running 'the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen', he was stripped of his seven titles and he also stepped down as chairman of his non-profit Livestrong Foundation, a leader in the fight against cancer. (File Photo)
LANCE ARMSTRONG: The professional road racing cyclist with seven consecutive titles in the Tour de France bicycle race was diagnosed in 1996 at the age of 25 with stage three testicular cancer, which spread to his brain, lungs and abdomen. Fortunately for Lance, testicular cancer is one of the most curable solid tumour cancers even when it has spread well beyond its original site as they are very sensitive to chemotherapy, unlike other cancer types. However, in 2012 after an infamous doping scandal where he was charged with running 'the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen', he was stripped of his seven titles and he also stepped down as chairman of his non-profit Livestrong Foundation, a leader in the fight against cancer. (File Photo)
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