Millions of women around the world have been facing the life-altering threat of breast cancer, and it often paints a grim picture given the alarming statistics each year. In our country, the Philippine Institute Development studies found that 32 Filipino women die of breast cancer daily-an unfortunate circumstance attributed to the low screening rate in the country.
Citing a 2024 report, the World Health Organization in an Oct. 1 statement said 2.4 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide, while 694 000 women died from the disease. Meanwhile, 8.2 million women were living with breast cancer at the end of the year.
But while the numbers can be overwhelming, it is important to note the breast cancer battles that have been fought and won, and that serves as a reminder that not every case ends in tragedy.
One of these battles is Maritoni Fernandez’s. The 56-year-old actress first felt a lump on her right breast when she was 26, but it was only four years later that she would discover that it is positive for malignancy. She was then diagnosed with Stage 2A breast cancer.
Through surgical procedures, treatments, support from her family, and her faith, Fernandez survived and was declared cancer-free in 2001. Since then, she has been regularly undergoing medical tests to have her breasts checked, and has also been serving as a powerful voice for awareness and hope.
‘This year, I’m a 24-year survivor of breast cancer. Throughout it all, Jesus was my ally – it is my strong faith and relationship with Him that pulled me through,’ Fernandez said in a statement shared by ICan Serve Foundation, a Philippines-based advocacy group of breast cancer survivors and volunteers.
‘I now volunteer for ICanServe because I want people who are going through breast cancer now to see that there are survivors like me who have not only survived but are thriving after the battle. I want to inspire and be the picture they envision themselves to be after the fight. I want to give hope,’ she added.
Another victor against breast cancer is seasoned actress, director and writer Bibeth Orteza, who has been free of the disease for the past 22 years.
Orteza had herself checked when she felt that her right breast was heavier than the rest of her body. She was diagnosed with stage 3C breast cancer in November 2004, and was operated on the following year.
‘I didn’t see cancer as a death sentence, but something like getting a front row ticket to the first night of my wake, where people say good stuff about me, where I’m given a chance to apologize to those whom I’ve hurt, and for those who’ve hurt me to likewise say they’re sorry,’ said Orteza, who is the spokesperson of ICanServe.
Orteza underscored she had been and is still very open about her cancer journey as she underscores the importance of getting checked for early detection.
‘A common cancer diagnosis irretrievably links women together, you so quickly know that you shared the same fears and what-ifs, the same wondering if you’d still see your children finish school, go through college – you’re sisters,’ she continued. ‘I don’t just help them, they help me, too. They make me continuously in awe of life, and feel blessed.’
Melissa de Leon, who was diagnosed with stage 2b breast cancer in 2006, had shared the same situation with Fernandez and Orteza until she was declared cancer-free in 2007.
‘There’s life after cancer…’ she said. ‘Surviving or conquering this journey is something that I can and will continue to talk about. I don’t think I will be able to get through it well if not because of my spiritual relationship with our Lord.’
There were also celebrity doctor Vicki Belo and former beauty queen Abbygale Arenas whose fights against the Big C have been an open book to the public.
Belo was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2016, with the doctors even telling her she only had two years to live. She soldiered on and underwent treatments, with the goal of spending more time with her children especially her youngest daughter Scarlet.
Belo has been cancer free for about nine years.
Arenas, for her part, championed in 2021 her battle against an aggressive type of breast cancer after going through neoadjuvant chemotherapy and targeted therapy followed by modified radical mastectomy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy.
The long list of survivors goes on with Glenda Garcia and Diana Menezes who have been cancer free since 2013 and 2018, respectively.
Beyond our shores, celebrities like American actress Christina Applegate also overcame the disease in 2008 after having both of her breasts removed in an operation known as prophylactic double mastectomy.
Applegate, who was also diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, has since been a breast cancer advocate.
‘When you get diagnosed with cancer, there’s such a sense of loneliness, but we need to know as people going through this is that you’re not alone,’ she said
Olivia Munn is also one of the Hollywood celebrities who have been vocal about their breast cancer journey. In 2024, Munn was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, which was detected through a breast cancer risk calculator.
Munn-who had already underwent five surgeries, including a lymph node dissection, a double mastectomy, and a hysterectomy-then shared in 2025 that her mom was also diagnosed with the disease.
Munn has been using her platform to underscore the importance of women undergoing early and comprehensive screenings and imaging tests.
Jenna Fischer has also joined the celebrities raising awareness about breast cancer after she was diagnosed with the disease in 2023. Before she was declared cancer-free in 2025, the American actress underwent lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, among other medications.
‘When I got my diagnosis I wondered if I’d ever be able to work again. So, this past year filled with work and artistic growth has been so meaningful,’ she said in 2025.
‘Most of all I’m thankful to be cancer free. I’m grateful every time I have a new scan and I get that news,’ she stated. ‘Sending my love to anyone battling a health issue right now. And to everyone else, please don’t skip your mammograms, colonoscopies and skin checks.’
Also a breast cancer survivor is Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé and Solange, who discovered she had the disease in 2024. Knowles had a tumor on her breast which was removed in late 2024. She later underwent breast reduction surgery and was cleared in 2025.
‘I’m doing great. Cancer-free and incredibly blessed that God allowed me to find it early,’ she said in a 2026 statement to PEOPLE. ‘I want to give people hope. What scares me now is not making the best of every day that I have left in this life.’
A story worth honoring as well is actress Jaymee Joaquin’s, who was a 4-time breast cancer survivor prior to her passing in 2023. Joaquin lived a grateful life amid her six-year bout with the disease, serving as an advocate and an inspiration to her fellow warriors.
Aside from these women, TV personality Cesca Litton and British singer Jessie J have bravely opened up about their breast cancer battles in 2025 as they look forward to emerging as victors in their respective journeys.
‘I have always advocated for being real. Honest in your feelings. We can not heal what we don’t acknowledge…’ said Jessi J, referring to her diagnosis. ‘Just don’t unpack your suitcase and live in it. Or let it define you.’
Jessie J, who had underwent a mastectomy and breast reconstruction, was declared cancer-free in 2026.
In May 2026, Filipino celebrities Kaye Abad and Cathy Babao revealed their respective battles with breast cancer.
Abad was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025 after undergoing a mammogram prompted by a six-hour stomachache. The actress underwent treatment for a year before she was declared cancer-free.
‘Alam kong hindi ako pababayaan ni Lord because He’s always been there ever since,’ she said. ‘Mataas ‘yung faith ko kay God na hindi niya ako pababayaan. God is good, always. I know he’s just there, ngayon pa, I know ngayong mas kailangan ko siya, hindi niya ako pababayaan.’
Babao, 61, disclosed her diagnosis in May although she noted that she had been undergoing treatment-including chemotherapy and radiation therapy-for cancer since the first quarter of 2026. She also had underwent surgery in August.
Despite her ongoing battle with cancer, Babao continues to hold on to her faith, serving as an inspiration to those who are also in the midst of their own healing journeys.
‘If you are beginning your own healing journey, take heart. Our Heavenly Father is always with you. He sustains you and carries you from one season to the next,’ she said.
‘Keep praying. Keep showing up. And whenever you can, find the humor. It helps,’ she added.
Even men were not spared. Tyler Mane, a professional wrestler-turned-actor who gave life to the character Sabretooth in the live action movie ‘X-Men,’ revealed last June that he’s been diagnosed with breast cancer, a rare occurrence for men.
‘I have some bad news. I started chemo today. One in 755 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and I’m one of them. Because it’s rarely talked about, it’s usually found at the later stages and has worse outcomes. I wanna change that,’ he said.