Photos: Famous Breast Cancer Survivors

These courageous individuals battled breast cancer and won.

Angelina Jolie - The actress penned an op-ed piece for the New York Times in which she revealed that she underwent three months of surgical procedures to remove both breasts as a preventative measure. Jolie, whose mother passed away from breast cancer at age 56, tested positive for the BRCA1 gene which increased her chances for the disease to 87 percent. Her risk dropped to 5 percent after the double mastectomy. (Photo: AP Photo/Carlo Allegri, File)

1 / 11

Angelina Jolie - The actress penned an op-ed piece for the New York Times in which she revealed that she underwent three months of surgical procedures to remove both breasts as a preventative measure. Jolie, whose mother passed away from breast cancer at age 56, tested positive for the BRCA1 gene which increased her chances for the disease to 87 percent. Her risk dropped to 5 percent after the double mastectomy. (Photo: AP Photo/Carlo Allegri, File)

Wanda Sykes  - Since coming out as a lesbian in 2008, comedian Wanda Sykes has become an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights and same-sex marriage.  (Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

2 / 11

Wanda Sykes - After Sykes was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (a non-invasive type of breast cancer) in 2011, the comedian decided to have a double mastectomy to prevent getting cancer in the future and making sure she'd be around for her children. (Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

Edna Campbell - Former Sacramento Monarchs player Campbell was diagnosed with breast cancer during her second season with the team, but she refused to let it stop her and returned to play soon after receiving treatment. She later became the WNBA's national spokesperson for its cancer awareness efforts with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  (Photo: Otto Greule /Allsport)

3 / 11

Edna Campbell - Former Sacramento Monarchs player Campbell was diagnosed with breast cancer during her second season with the team, but she refused to let it stop her and returned to play soon after receiving treatment. She later became the WNBA's national spokesperson for its cancer awareness efforts with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  (Photo: Otto Greule /Allsport)

Robin Roberts Heading Back to Work Soon - Robin Roberts, Good Morning America’s co-host, has some very good news. She is returning back to work in the next few weeks, reported the Huffington Post. Roberts has been on medical leave since September seeking treatment for a rare blood cancer.  (Photo: Janette Pellegrini/Getty Images)

4 / 11

Robin Roberts - After chemotherapy treatments, Robin Roberts didn’t want her wig to distract viewers from the news on Good Morning America. But she soon realized that she could share an implicit strength with viewers and other survivors by not wearing it; so she took it off on air. "I am not my hair," Roberts said. "I am the soul that lies within and that's it -- no more wig. That's it."(Photo: Janette Pellegrini/Getty Images)

Ruby Dee - Ruby Dee is more than an Emmy and Grammy Award-winning actress; she’s a renaissance woman and legend. She used her celebrity to fight civil injustices during the Civil Rights Movement alongside heroes like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Dee used that same tenacity to fight cancer and is currently a 30-plus-year survivor of the disease.(Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

5 / 11

Ruby Dee - Ruby Dee is more than an Emmy and Grammy Award-winning actress; she’s a renaissance woman and legend. She used her celebrity to fight civil injustices during the Civil Rights Movement alongside heroes like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Dee used that same tenacity to fight cancer and is currently a 30-plus-year survivor of the disease.(Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

ADVERTISEMENT
Hoda Kotb - Co-host of the fourth hour of NBC’s “Today,” Hoda Kotb bravely allowed the show’s cameras to document her ordeal with breast cancer, to not only inform people about the disease but to strengthen those who were suffering from it as well. In 2007, Kotb underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.(Photo: Demis Maryannakis / PacificCoastNews.com)

6 / 11

Hoda Kotb - Co-host of the fourth hour of NBC’s “Today,” Hoda Kotb bravely allowed the show’s cameras to document her ordeal with breast cancer, to not only inform people about the disease but to strengthen those who were suffering from it as well. In 2007, Kotb underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.(Photo: Demis Maryannakis / PacificCoastNews.com)

Rene Syler - Rene Syler, journalist and former co-host of CBSs’ “The Early Show,” was a strong proponent of breast cancer even before she was diagnosed with the disease. Syler won the 2004 Gracie Allen Award for Individual Achievement in the National Best Anchor category for her breast cancer series. In 2006, she underwent a successful bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.(Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Campbell's)

7 / 11

Rene Syler - Rene Syler, journalist and former co-host of CBSs’ “The Early Show,” was a strong proponent of breast cancer even before she was diagnosed with the disease. Syler won the 2004 Gracie Allen Award for Individual Achievement in the National Best Anchor category for her breast cancer series. In 2006, she underwent a successful bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.(Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Campbell's)

Richard Roundtree: July 9 - The actor best known for playing Shaft celebrates his 70th birthday. (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

8 / 11

Richard Roundtree - Actor Richard Roundtree reminds us all that breast cancer isn’t a disease that only affects women. When Roundtree was diagnosed in 1993, his reaction was, “I couldn't possibly have breast cancer. Men don't get this.” After going into remission, Roundtree became an advocate for breast cancer awareness and works closely with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.(Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Nikki Giovanni - Legendary poet Nikki Giovanni will be interviewed by Omari Hardwick. (Photo: Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times/Landov)

9 / 11

Nikki Giovanni - The award-winning poet and author Nikki Giovanni has written over 30 literary works, won countless awards and has maintained the same fervor and passion for issues of equality and justice throughout her career. She used that same zeal to fight her battle with lung and breast cancer. (Photo: Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times /Landov)

Photo By Photo: Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times/Landov

Marsha Hunt - The model, singer and author fought to prove her worth her entire career, even moving to London to find success. Perhaps her most poignant years had nothing to do with her career, but rather her struggle with breast cancer. The model bravely underwent a mastectomy without reconstruction to show that her “battle scar” was beautiful. In 2005, Hunt released a memoir about her battle with breast cancer, “Undefeated.” (Photo: Mark Doyle / Splash News)

10 / 11

Marsha Hunt - The model, singer and author fought to prove her worth her entire career, even moving to London to find success. Perhaps her most poignant years had nothing to do with her career, but rather her struggle with breast cancer. The model bravely underwent a mastectomy without reconstruction to show that her “battle scar” was beautiful. In 2005, Hunt released a memoir about her battle with breast cancer, “Undefeated.” (Photo: Mark Doyle / Splash News)

Diahann Carroll: July 17 - The legendary actress celebrates her 78th birthday. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

11 / 11

Diahann Carroll - Diahann Carroll’s name has become synonymous with artistic achievement over the years. This legendary actress and singer was the first African-American woman to win a Tony Award, and the first African-American woman to star in her own television show, ”Julia,” in a non-stereotypical role. When the acting pioneer found out she had breast cancer, she became a staunch activist for breast cancer awareness. "The simple truth is that regular screening saved my life."(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo By Jason Merritt/Getty Images