Applegate shows her strength and tenacity at the Stand Up to Cancer fundraiser in September, 2008. Applegate recently opted for a preventive double mastectomy to ensure her breast cancer from returning.

No one could forget Etheridge’s brave performance at the 2004 Grammy Awards show just months after her diagnosis. Her rendition of Janis Joplin’s Piece of My Heart instilled new faith in the thousands affected by breast cancer.

Carly Simon’s smile shows eternal optimism at the Museum of Television and Radio’s Annual Gala on Feb. 8, 2007. Simon’s battle with breast cancer, which was diagnosed in 1997, resulted in a mastectomy. Simon has embraced her experience and channeled it into her songwriting, putting out three albums since 1999.

A longtime champion of health and physical fitness, Somers broke with tradition when she chose to go with an all-homeopathic approach to her 2001 bout with breast cancer. Her triumph over cancer has reaffirmed her belief in holistic approaches, and she has written several books about the benefits of bioidentical hormones.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, Newton John has become a breast cancer activist. She has worked with countless cancer charities for the past 15 years, including the Olivia Newton John Cancer Center in Australia.

Crow has reason to smile at this the Tower Cancer Research Foundation Gala on May 20, 2007. Diagnosed in 2006, the strong-willed songstress credits her recovery to early detection. The brand-new mom has put her fame to good use: Crow has lobbied Congress to increase breast cancer research funding.

Charlie’s Angel Jaclyn Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. Since her recovery, the ageless beauty has been touring the country with her program “The Strength in Knowing,” which teaches women about the risks in cancer.

The combination of Minogue’s resilient spirit and modern medicine saved her life, but her very public battle with cancer may have saved many more. In the months after her 2005 diagnosis, cancer screenings in Minogue’s native Australia rose 40 percent, and researchers dubbed it “the Kylie effect.”

Falco’s tough-as-nails persona on the small screen does not end there. The three-time Emmy-winning actress secretly fought cancer in 2003. Here, Falco radiates beauty with a strength and confidence that would make Carmela Soprano proud.