Tuesday’s announcement by Angelina Jolie, that she elected for a double mastectomy in the face of overwhelming odds that she would develop breast cancer, made headlines around the world. We look back at other luminaries that have gone public with their cancer battles.
When Celebrities Battle Cancer: Photos of 20 Inspiring Survivors
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Ann Romney
In November 2008, Ann Romney, wife of former Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, announced she had been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, and had fought it with surgery and radiation. She has been cancer-free ever since, but remains an advocate for early detection. During the 2012 presidential campaign, she tweeted: "Routine check-ups are the ket to early detection. I had my check-up yesterday, and am celebrating three years of being cancer-free."