One in nine women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives - but survival rates have increased significantly over the past 20 years, largely due to heightened awareness and improved treatments.

Coronation Street's Sally Whittaker has just returned to work following successful treatment for breast cancer. Here's how Sally - and nine other well-known stars - have coped with the disease, plus what they've learned from their experiences...

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'Coronation Street' star Sally, 46, was diagnosed with breast cancer six months ago, after her soap character's battle with the disease inspired her to check for abnormalities. The actress took a month off from the cobbles while she underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but is now back at work and well on the road to recovery.

Sally says: ‘If I hadn't been researching this storyline, I may not have discovered the lump and had it looked at so quickly. I'd never properly checked my breast before as I thought this wasn't going to happen to me.'

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Bernie, 50, recently became the third Nolan sister to overcome breast cancer. Both Linda and Anne have also beaten the disease over the past decade - and now Bernie can celebrate too. “I’ve had cancer, you know! But now let’s party. Cancer has improved my life and my marriage – and my hair is hilarious." (It has recently changed to curly and grey from blonde and straight!) She has also revealed her latest role as Malevolent, the Wicked Witch in Beauty and the Beast at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage.

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Aussie superstar Kylie, 43, was diagnosed with breast cancer during her Showgirl world tour in 2005. Following radiotherapy and chemotherapy, she took some time out to recover - but doctors gave her the go-ahead to resume her tour in November 2006. Kylie fronted the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign in 2010. She has also just completed her highly acclaimed 'Aphrodite' tour.

Kylie says: ‘It's not over. I still go for regular check-ups. The voyage doesn't end suddenly. That's why it's so difficult to talk about it.'

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TV and radio presenter Trisha, 53, found out she had breast cancer following a routine mammogram in 2008. She underwent several months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the US - but managed to continue working and go for daily runs throughout her treatment, which helped keep her mind and body in shape. She was given the all-clear in March 2009.

Trisha says: ‘I just want to be Trisha - not a survivor of anything.'

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Sex and the City star Cynthia, 45, was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, after routine screening picked up a small tumour in her right breast. Following an operation to remove the lump, she had six weeks of radiotherapy - and soon made a full recovery. The actress didn't go public with her battle until 2008, when she became an ambassador for a US cancer charity.

Cynthia says: ‘The only thing to be afraid of is if you don't get your mammograms, because there's some part of you that doesn't want to know - and that's the thing that's going to trip you up.'

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US actress Christina, 39, discovered she had early-stage breast cancer in 2008, following an MRI scan. She later had a double mastectomy after learning she'd tested positive for a BRCA1 gene mutation, which increases the chances of the disease returning. She's since made a full recovery, and has become a big advocate for early screening programmes.

Christina says: ‘I feel like I have a responsibility to all the women out there, to not let them live in fear. Fear perpetuates disease.'

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Having already survived colon cancer in 1997, Sam, 44, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 after finding a small lump in her left breast. The artist/director had a lumpectomy, followed by six months of chemotherapy. She's now been cancer-free for 11 years, and has recently had her third child with new partner Aaron Johnson.

Sam says: ‘You come through and everyone breathes a sigh of relief and gets back to their life. You're left in a strange place. You have to reassess your place in life with the knowledge and history of what you've been through.'

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US singer Anastacia, 43, found out she had breast cancer when she was just 34 - after a mammogram picked up the disease in its early stages. She had a partial mastectomy and six weeks of radiotherapy - and has been cancer-free ever since. Anastacia says the experience has inspired her to slow down and take care of her body with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Anastacia says: ‘I now know that beauty isn't about having perfectly round breasts or a flawless complexion; it's about who I am on the inside, and I have cancer to thank for that insight.'

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Singer Sheryl, 49, discovered she had early-stage breast cancer in 2006 - just three weeks after she'd split from long-term partner Lance Armstrong, also a cancer survivor. Sheryl underwent a small operation, followed by radiotherapy as a precaution, and has been in remission ever since.

Sheryl says: ‘I kept my breast cancer tattoos - where the radiation was lined up on my chest. Once in a while I look at it to remind myself that I have to put on my oxygen mask first before I put it on anybody else.'

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Singer Sheryl, 48, discovered she had early-stage breast cancer in 2006 - just three weeks after she'd split from long-term partner Lance Armstrong, also a cancer survivor. Sheryl underwent a small operation, followed by radiotherapy as a precaution, and has been in remission ever since.

Sheryl says: ‘I kept my breast cancer tattoos - where the radiation was lined up on my chest. Once in a while I look at it to remind myself that I have to put on my oxygen mask first before I put it on anybody else.'

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What to say to someone who has breast cancer
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