Glo's Girl Crushes of the Week: Breast Cancer

Gloria Steinem

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986, this feminist icon is best known as the voice of the women’s lib movement of the ’60s and ’70s. She continues to champion women’s rights today and aims to make feminist issues not only prominent, but accessible to everyone.

Robin Roberts

When she was diagnosed in 2007, this Good Morning America co-anchor announced the news on-air. She served as an inspiration to her fellow cancer fighters when she decided to stop wearing a wig after losing her hair due to her chemotherapy treatments and later wrote a book called From the Heart: Seven Rules to Live By.

Christina Applegate

This actress has been candid about her battle with cancer from her diagnosis to her mastectomy to her recovery. In addition to starring in the new sitcom Up All Night, she works to raise awareness about breast cancer through her foundation, Right Action for Women, an organization that helps those at risk get screened for the disease.

Martina Navratilova

After revealing that she beat breast cancer, this Czech-American tennis star also admitted that, when she was in treatment, depression hit her so badly she could barely get out of bed. Yet even during that time, she continued not only to play her sport, but also to support the variety of charitable causes she’s passionate about, including animal rights, underprivileged children and gay rights.

Kylie Minogue

This Australian singer is credited for influencing women around the world to become more aware of the risk of breast cancer. In 2008 French Culture Minister Christine Albanel said that Kylie’s candor about the disease made a distinct impact: "Doctors now even go as far as saying there is a 'Kylie effect' that encourages young women to have regular [breast] checks.”

Geralyn Lucas

This budding journalist was diagnosed when she was just 27 years old. But instead of letting cancer claim her identity, Geralyn wore sexier clothing, went on dates and continued to work throughout her treatment. She chronicled her journey in the book Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy, and a portion of its sales goes towards to The Young Survival Coalition.

Melissa Etheridge

This two-time Grammy winner has been a strong breast cancer awareness supporter since her 2004 diagnosis. In 2005 she appeared on Dateline to publically discuss the disease and its various treatments, putting the need for more research, and a cure, in the limelight, and she continues to speak on the subject today.

Sandra Day O'Connor

As the first female Supreme Court justice, Sandra made history. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988, she was expected to retire. Instead, she stayed on the bench for 17 more years.

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