Photos: Famous Breast Cancer Survivors

These courageous individuals battled breast cancer | and won. See their stories.

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."

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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."

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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Nikki Giovani - 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.

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Nikki Giovani - 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.

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.”

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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.”

Diahann Carrol - 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."

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Diahann Carrol - 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."