QVC Makeup Ambassador Laura Geller, 67, Was Diagnosed With Breast Cancer Between TV Shows—Now Cancer-Free, She Says Work and Love Got Her Through It

“I was just crying because I’m a single mom and my son doesn’t have a dad, and doesn’t have siblings.”

Her son became her anchor. “If something happened to me, he’d have no one,” Geller said. That fear fueled her determination to fight.

Work as a Lifeline

Geller credits her work with helping her navigate the emotional toll of her diagnosis.

“I had my moments, but work is what saved me,” she said. Her brand, launched in 1997, was built to celebrate mature women—an audience ready-made, given the QVC platform. It gave her a direct line to women seeking confidence, comfort, and connection.

Today, her brand reaches far beyond television, thriving in digital spaces and continuing to empower women through makeup and storytelling. She recently hosted an Instagram Live with “Real Housewives of Miami” star Guerdy Abraira, where the two survivors shared their journeys and beauty tips.

 

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A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

Geller’s breast cancer was discovered during a routine mammogram in 2019. “It showed up during my annual mammogram, and I went back a week later for a biopsy,” she told Prevention. She sought multiple medical opinions before choosing her care team and undergoing surgery.

“I had surgery at the end of May,” she said. The procedure was a lumpectomy—a breast-conserving surgery that removes the tumor and surrounding tissue while preserving the rest of the breast. She followed it with radiation therapy and is now proudly “cancer-free.”

WATCH: Should I Have a Lumpectomy?

Lumpectomy plus radiation is a proven treatment for early-stage breast cancer, offering outcomes comparable to mastectomy. Radiation helps eliminate any remaining cancer cells, though side effects can include fatigue, swelling, and scar tissue.

Advocating for Early Detection

Geller now uses her platform to champion early detection. Her cancer was caught at stage 1 thanks to routine screening—a message she shares with urgency and hope.

“I love what I do,” she said. “I’m so blessed and fortunate, and I’m really happy.”

Early-Stage Breast Cancer Treatment

A lumpectomy removes the cancer or abnormal tissue from the breast, and unlike a mastectomy, only the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue are removed. The surgery typically takes about an hour and is an outpatient procedure, meaning a patient will be able to go home the same day. “It’s abnormal to have a lot of pain after a lumpectomy,” says Dr. Sarah Cate, Chief of Breast Surgery, Stamford Hospital.

WATCH: Recovering from a Lumpectomy

For early-stage breast cancer, studies have shown that lumpectomy plus radiation is as effective a treatment in preventing a recurrence of breast cancer as mastectomy.

“As the breast surgeon, I then make a cut in the breast and remove the cancer, and then I will do certain plastic surgery techniques to rearrange the tissue just in that area to make it look nice,” Dr. Cate explained.

“A lot of the time, the stitches are underneath the skin, and I use a skin glue. And that’s also taken from plastic surgery techniques for the best possible appearance of the scar. I also place the scars, most of the time, by the areola, or maybe at the bottom of the breast, so that patients can wear V-necks or bathing suits, and they really cannot see the scar after some time,” Dr. Cate continued.

Lumpectomy patients are usually at the outpatient surgery center for about four hours. If patients aren’t feeling well or experiencing additional pain or discomfort, they might stay longer.

Preparing for Radiation Treatment for Breast Cancer

Radiation therapy is often used after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells in the breast or surrounding tissue. As Radiation Oncologist Dr. Subhakar Mutyala told SurvivorNet, “Radiation therapy is actually ionizing energy, where energy goes through your body, essentially causes DNA damage… The actual treatment is just ionizing energy.”

Radiation therapy—using high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells—is a common follow-up to breast cancer surgery, especially for patients who choose a lumpectomy over a mastectomy. Its goal: reduce the risk of recurrence by targeting any lingering cancer cells in the breast or surrounding tissue.

While effective, radiation can come with side effects, both immediate and delayed. Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Swelling
• Scar tissue
• Shortness of breath

RELATED: Cancer Patients With Dark Skin Are at Increased Risk of Painful Radiation Side Effects, New Research Says

One of the more serious concerns involves the heart, which can unintentionally absorb radiation due to its proximity to the breast.

“When the radiation is delivered, unfortunately, the heart happens to be somewhere very near to where they have their breast cancer, and it becomes an innocent bystander absorbing some of the radiation,” explained Dr. Jean-Bernard Durand to SurvivorNet.

This exposure can lead to complications such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and even heart failure—sometimes surfacing decades after treatment.

“We make it a point to see them on a regular basis so that we can catch these things very early and treat them,” Dr. Durand added.

Even advanced techniques like proton therapy, which aim to minimize damage to healthy tissue, aren’t immune to side effects. Fatigue remains a common complaint, and the risk of long-term injury still exists.

“Radiation is a form of energy… and when we give radiation, it has the ability to scatter,” Dr. Durand said. “Even though we may target one particular area, that scattering of energy can cause injury to the local surrounding structures, including the heart.”

Over time, this injury can lead to the development of scar tissue within the heart muscle, its electrical system, and blood supply.

“We believe it is what causes all the injury, that ultimately leads to the symptoms,” he explained.

For survivors, this underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and open conversations with care teams.

WATCH: The Debates Around Radiation for Breast Cancer

While radiation is a standard part of care for many, experts continue to debate its scope and necessity. Dr. Chirag Shah of the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center notes two key controversies: whether to use whole breast versus partial breast radiation, and whether some patients may not need radiation at all.

“The idea is reducing the duration of treatment and reducing side effects for patients,” Dr. Shah said. “Omitting radiation is therefore associated with a lower risk of side effects.”

Considering a Self-Breast Exam? Here Are the Steps.

If you choose to incorporate self-exams into your routine, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

• Visual Check in the Mirror
  • Stand straight with your hands on your hips and observe your breasts for any visible changes—swelling, bulging, asymmetry, redness, rashes, or fluid discharge. Repeat this check with your arms raised overhead to spot subtle shifts in shape or contour.
• Physical Exam While Lying Down
  • Lie flat and use your right hand to examine your left breast, then switch sides. Use the pads of your first three fingers to apply varying pressure—light for surface tissue, medium for mid-depth, and firm for deeper areas. Cover the entire breast zone: from collarbone to ribcage, and armpit to cleavage.
• Repeat While Standing or Sitting
  • Some women find it helpful to repeat the exam in the shower, where fingers glide more easily over wet skin. Consistency is key—monthly checks can help you recognize what’s normal and flag anything unusual.

What To Ask Your Doctor

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about keeping your strength through treatment. Here are a few questions to help you begin the conversation with your doctor:

• What treatment will I be receiving?
• What side effects are associated with this treatment?
• Are there steps I can take daily to help minimize these side effects?
• What physical activity routine do you recommend for me during treatment?
• Do you have recommendations for someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy exercise?
• Can you recommend a dietician who can help me with healthy eating tips and weight maintenance?
• I’ve been having trouble sleeping. Do you have any treatment recommendations?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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