Celebrity breast cancer survivors

Shirley Temple

From 1936 to 1938, former child star Shirley Temple was one of Hollywood's biggest box office draws. After her childhood appeal dwindled, Temple bowed out gracefully, retiring from the big screen aged 21.

She then went on to host children's TV shows, and even did a stint at the United Nations in 1969.

In 1972, Shirley was diagnosed with breast cancer and was the first celebrity to go public about her condition, raising awareness and encouraging women to check their breasts.

• For fascinating statistics and myth-busting fact sheets visit our Breast cancer awareness special

Anastacia

Anastasia was once asked to describe her big soulful voice in three words, to which she responded: 'Loud, Louder, and Loudest'.

In January 2003, she was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 30.

Her first reaction was denial, but she now appreciates that it was her doctor's insistence that she underwent a mammogram that ultimately saved her life.

Since then she has set up the Anastasia Fund alongside The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, encouraging women under the age of 40 to be more aware of the risks.

• For fascinating statistics and myth-busting fact sheets visit our Breast cancer awareness special

Olivia Newton-John

The British-born actress rose to fame with the help of showbiz pal Sir Cliff Richard with regular appearances on his TV show, The Cliff Richard Show.

She went on to win a hatful of awards before launching her acting career by starring alongside lifelong pal John Travolta in one of the biggest selling musicals of all time, Grease.

On July 2nd 1992, Olivia was diagnosed with breast cancer. After an operation and a bout of chemotherapy, in February the following year she was given the all-clear.

Since then she has been an active and outspoken advocate of early detection and treatment.

• For fascinating statistics and myth-busting fact sheets visit our Breast cancer awareness special

Sheryl Crow

Once a small-town music school teacher, Sheryl Crow burst onto the pop music circuit in 1993 with her album The Tuesday Night Music Club and hit single All I Wanna Do.

In February 2006, a mere three weeks after she split up with her fiance, cyclist Lance Armstrong, she underwent surgery for breast cancer, followed by a bout of radiation treatment.

As she caught the disease in its early stages, doctors were confident that her prognosis was good.

Of the ordeal, Sheryl said: 'I feel keenly aware of how precious and fleeting life is and I hope I will never forget what the experience has taught me: who I am, who I want to be and who I can never be again.'

• For fascinating statistics and myth-busting fact sheets visit our Breast cancer awareness special

Kylie Minogue

The pint-sized Australian, who started her showbiz career as Charlene in Aussie soap Neighbours, has since gone from strength to strength as a disco diva, gay icon and regular chart topper.

In May 2005, her enormous fan base was shocked to discover that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Choosing to be close to her french fiance Olivier Martinez, she underwent surgery in France to remove a lump in her breast, and then spent the next 15 months battling the disease with chemotherapy.

Kylie is outspoken and honest about her disease, urging younger women to check their breasts frequently so as to assist early detection.

• For fascinating statistics and myth-busting fact sheets visit our Breast cancer awareness special

Cynthia Nixon

Not many people will be aware that Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon is also a breast cancer survivor.

Afraid of the stigma associated with having cancer in Hollywood, she did not go public about it for two years.

Since then, she has become a breast cancer activist who even managed to persuade the head of NBC to air her breast cancer special on prime time television.

• For fascinating statistics and myth-busting fact sheets visit our Breast cancer awareness special

Christina Applegate

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, 36-year-old actress Christina Applegate made the decision to have a double mastectomy.

During an interview for Good Morning America she said that she is now cancer free and has decided to have reconstructive surgery. 'I'm going to have cute boobs 'til I'm 90,' she said.

Christina, whose mother is also a breast cancer survivor, has had regular mammograms since she was 30 and discovered that she had the disease after going for an MRI at the suggestion of her doctor. She is now launching a campaign to raise money for women who are at high risk of getting breast cancer to have MRIs.

• For fascinating statistics and myth-busting fact sheets visit our Breast cancer awareness special

Trisha Goddard

Television presenter Trisha Goddard discovered she had breast cancer after a routine mammogram.

Despite her diagnosis and subsequent treatment, the 50-year-old presenter continued working on her daytime TV show and celebrated her 10th anniversary on British TV in September 2008.

Trisha is a long-time supporter of breast cancer charities.

• For fascinating statistics and myth-busting fact sheets visit our Breast cancer awareness special

Melissa Etheridge

After discovering a lump in her breast while on tour in 2004, singer Melissa Etheridge flew home to California where she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Despite just finishing chemotherepy and radiation treatment Melissa made an appearance at the 2005 Grammy Awards and performed the Janis Joplin hit Little Piece of My Heart to a standing ovation.

Speaking about her decision to perform, she said: 'The truth is, yes I had cancer. Yes, I got it out of me. Yes, I went through chemotherapy. Yes, I'm bald.

'I remember telling the camera crew, saying, like, I'm going to do this bald. So, if you need any special lighting, for this big old shiny head that's going to be shining, I need you to know. And they were like, okay. And they were all ready for it.'

• For fascinating statistics and myth-busting fact sheets visit our Breast cancer awareness special

Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crow and Christina Applegate, took part in a one-hour TV special in the US on 5th September 2008, Stand Up to Cancer which raised funds for cancer research.

• For fascinating statistics and myth-busting fact sheets visit our Breast cancer awareness special

Each one of us can reduce our risk of developing breast cancer and iVillage.co.uk has uncovered inventive and fun ways to raise money and awareness. Get involved today!

For more information visit Cancerresearchuk.org