Original ‘Charlie’s Angels’ Star Cheryl Ladd, 74, Recalls ‘Humbling’ Battle Against ‘Aggressive Form’ Of Breast Cancer Alongside Her Supportive Husband

Footage of Ladd speaking on stage, alongside two former costars, was shared on social media. She described the journey as a “humbling experience, further explaining, “I was bald. It was a humbling experience and yet I have a wonderful husband…he was there for me at every turn, and that makes a big difference.

She continued, “And eventually I started to get little sprouts of hair. It was a long, long, hard road, but you just get on with it. You just have to get on with it.”

Ladd, a mom of one, didn’t specify the exact type of cancer or the treatment plan she underwent, but her courage to speak out about her health journey is deeply motivating.

She hopes her story will encourage others to get checked, later telling the audience, “If you find a little something in your breasts…do not ignore it.”

Ladd was a part of “Charlie’s Angels” for four seasons, between 1977 and 1981.

Sitting next to Ladd on stage was a fellow breast cancer survivor, actress Jaclyn Smith, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 after a routine mammogram. Her treatment involved a lumpectomy followed by radiation.

Smith starred as Kelly Garrett on “Charlie’s Angels” between. 1976 to 1981.

RELATED: Charlie’s Angels Star & Breast Cancer Survivor Jaclyn Smith, 80, Feels ‘So Lucky’ To Have Three Wonderful Grandchildren— The Power Of Support Through Survivorship

Additionally, Kate Jackson, also on stage with Smith and Ladd, is a two-time breast cancer survivor.

Jackson, who acted as Sabrina Duncan on “Charlie’s Angels” between 1976 and 1979, said on stage, according to TODAY, “It’s really important to understand and embrace not being afraid of getting a mammogram.

“Early detection is key. Find it early enough and you’ll probably be all right.”

RElATED: Mom, 37, Praises ‘Big Village’ of Support & Loving Husband For Helping Her Cope While Battling Breast Cancer

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Offering insight into the importance of support from loved ones and friends, Smith said, “I always talk about the power of girlfriends. It’s so important,” prompting Ladd to chime in saying, “I felt the same way.”

Ladd continued, “I thought that showing women who were for each other, not competing with each other, that we were all for each other.”

Jackson then said, “Nobody ever had to say, ‘I’ve got your back.’ That was just the way it was.”

Additionally, another former “Charlie’s Angel” fought cancer, the late legendary actress Farrah Fawcett, who lost her battle to anal cancer at age 62.

Fawcett, best known for her “Charlie’s Angels” role and acting in films like “Logan’s Run” and Saturn 3,″ bravely fought anal cancer since she was first diagnosed in 2006. She was declared cancer-free in 2007 at the age of 60, however the cancer returned spreading to her liver. In 2009 she passed away from the disease at age 62.

RELATED: Remembering Farrah Fawcett on Her Birthday: How ‘The Last of the Pinup Girls’ Inspired Millions On Her Anal Cancer Journey

When to Screen for Breast Cancer

The medical community has a broad consensus that women should have annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54. However, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is saying that women should now start getting mammograms every other year at the age of 40, suggesting that this lowered age for breast cancer screening could save 19% more lives.

The American Cancer Society recommends getting a mammogram every other year for women 55 and older. However, women in this age group who want added reassurance can still get annual mammograms.

Women with a strong family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, such as a BRCA gene mutation, or a medical history, including chest radiation therapy before the age of 30, are considered at higher risk for breast cancer.

Experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.

Regular Self-Exams Are Helpful In Between Mammograms

A self-breast exam is an easy way to monitor your breasts for abnormalities. It involves feeling the breast for swelling, bulging, or changes in the shape of the breast or nipple.

WATCH: Mammograms are still the best tool for detecting breast cancer.

Checking for signs of redness, rashes, or discharge is also part of this exam. If anything is found that is concerning, you should contact your doctor.

It’s important to note that self-exams should be done with regular mammograms.

WATCH: How to perform a self-exam.

Help Coping With a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

If you are facing a breast cancer diagnosis, your emotions are likely to run high, which is completely normal. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says emotions are often fluid when coping with a diagnosis.

“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support, whether that’s a therapist, friends, and family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” Dr. Plutchik said.

WATCH: How to cope with complex and changing emotions.

If a stressful event affects how you think and feel, it may be time to seek mental health treatment. This could mean traditional talk therapy, medication, changing lifestyle habits (like exercise and diet), seeking a support group, or many other approaches.

SurvivorNet experts suggest that women who need a little extra help coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.

• Let your family and close friends know, and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support, but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
• Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
• Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
• Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.

Support From Loved One’s During Health Challenges

Having a strong community around you, as Cheryl Ladd does, between her husband and her friends, is ideal when challenged by health struggles.

Dealing with cancer or any sort of health battle for that matter can be overwhelming, so having physical and emotional support is crucial. That being said, it’s very important to know your limits on what you can handle as you undergo treatment and recover from your cancer, and that includes relationships.

“Going through [cancer] treatment is a very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting experience,” licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin wrote in a column for SurvivorNet.

“Noticing what you have strength for and what is feeling like too much, [is] extremely important to pay attention to as you navigate treatment.”

Dr. Strongin does note, however, that having people by your side during this “arduous chapter” of your life can be hugely beneficial.

“Studies have found consistently that loneliness is a significant risk factor for physical and mental illnesses and the trajectory of recovery,” she wrote. “Therefore, it will be important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment.”

Ovarian cancer survivor Beverly Reeves can also attest to the importance of support and a loving community amid fighting a disease.

‘Faith, Family, and Friends’ Helped Beverly Reeves Get Through Ovarian Cancer Treatment

“If I had one piece of advice for someone who had just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it would be to get a strong support group together. Get your close friends. If you’re connected to a faith community, get your faith community,” Reeves told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.

“Get your family. Let them know what’s going on and let them help you. And sometimes that’s the most difficult thing to do, but just know that they are there,” she continued. “If they love you, they’re there to help you. And don’t be embarrassed.”

“Because this is a cancer that not a lot of people want to talk about,” she said. “But it’s real and we need to talk about it, and we do need that help. So talk to your family and your friends and your faith community, and get that network together so they can support you and be there for you,” she added.

How to Cope When a Spouse Is Diagnosed With Cancer

After a cancer diagnosis, emotions may run the gamut, and grappling with your feelings isn’t easy. While coping with caring for a loved one battling cancer, the spouse must also adjust to a new normal. Feelings ranging from anxiety, sadness, anger, regret, and more may linger.

However, healthy ways to cope include:

• Talk to a therapist and share feelings you’re going through
• Have an open conversation with your spouse about the diagnosis
• Research the disease and learn about available treatment options
• Join a support group or connect with others who have gone through, or are going through, the same experience
• Spend time with your spouse and have consistent conversations about how you both are feeling

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

If you have a breast cancer screening coming up or have recently had one, you may have questions you want answered. SurvivorNet suggests the following questions to kickstart your conversation with your doctor.

• Do I have dense breasts?
• Do I need to undergo additional or more sensitive screening?
• How is my risk level being assessed?
• Will insurance cover additional screening if needed?

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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