12 Celebs Who Have Battled Breast Cancer
Jamie Yeo has just revealed that she's a breast cancer survivor
Breast cancer does not discriminate. It can affect any woman regardless of age, with the risk increasing as you grow older. In Singapore, it is the most common cancer among women, and more than 25 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in women are breast cancer.
Battling an illness like breast cancer takes strength, courage and resilience. In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness month (October), we are paying homage to Asian celebrities who have fought the disease, as well as the efforts they made to raise awareness about breast cancer.
According to the National Cancer Centre Singapore, the risk of breast cancer increases with age with most women diagnosed being over the age of 40. That said, younger women may also be affected.
South Korean singer Suran (born Shin Su-ran) revealed that she had breast cancer on the variety show Video Star in 2019. The singer, who has worked with Korean boy band BTS’s Suga on the songs “Wine” and “So Far Away”, shared that she was diagnosed with breast cancer about four years ago (in 2015), and had to remove one of her breasts.
She described the procedure as a shock to her as it happened in her late twenties, and said that it changed her fashion sense, personality, and attitude. She used to be very girly, but she felt less feminine after the surgery. The way she talked and the way she dressed became more gender-neutral, and she was afraid that her fans would look at her differently.
Although she used to worry about what people would think if they knew that she had breast cancer, she decided to tell her story because she was no longer bothered by what others thought and was taking good care of herself. She continues to go for regular check-ups and has not had a relapse. After the episode was aired, Suran expressed her gratitude for the numerous messages of support that were sent to her and was touched that her revelation encouraged and comforted others who may be going through the same situation.
Diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at age 34, the acclaimed Hong Kong actress and former Miss Hong Kong underwent chemotherapy, electrotherapy and targeted therapy.
Mandy experienced side effects like hair loss, water retention and discoloured nails due to her treatments. Spreading the word about breast cancer, the actress gamely did a photoshoot with her shaved head. Over a decade later, the 46-year-old is cancer-free and happily married.
The legendary Hong Kong singer’s diagnosis came in 1996 at the age of 48, she went with a surgery and radiotherapy to fight the disease.
Thankfully, it was detected at an early stage and she didn’t need a mastectomy or chemotherapy. The 75-year-old currently resides in Sydney where she takes on the role of a housewife and grandmother to her two grandchildren.
Back at her concert in Singapore in 2018, she performed the song “Days with George” and dedicated it to her grandson George who was diagnosed with a brain tumour as a newborn.
As a two-time cancer warrior, Frances is living proof that there can be miracles and we hope the same can happen for her grandson.
Text: Letty Seah And Valerie Toh/Her World. Additional reporting: Michelle Lee
This article was originally published on Oct 21, 2022, and updated on Oct 2, 2023.