‘Real Housewives of Dallas’ Alum D’Andra Simmons, 56, Discovers Her Own Breast Cancer, Undergoes Surgery, and Prepares for Radiation: “I’ll Be a Champion for Others”
‘Real Housewives of Dallas’ Alum D’Andra Simmons, 56, Discovers Her Own Breast Cancer, Undergoes Surgery, and Prepares for Radiation: “I’ll Be a Champion for Others”
Self-Discovery, Surgery Success, and Radiation Ahead
“Real Housewives of Dallas” reality TV star D’Andra Simmons, 56, says her breast cancer surgery was successful and she’s now preparing to undergo radiation therapy.
Simmons was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer earlier this summer. She discovered her cancer while performing a self-breast exam.
Self-breast exams help women become more familiar with their breasts, which makes it easier to detect when something doesn’t feel normal. Experts say a monthly self-exam is recommended. However, it is not a replacement for a mammogram.
Radiation helps kill cancer cells in a targeted way. With breast cancer, it is often used after surgery to kill off any cancer cells that may remain in the breast or surrounding area. Possible side effects may include swelling, fatigue, and scar tissue.
Just weeks after undergoing breast cancer surgery, “Real Housewives of Dallas” alum D’Andra Simmons, 56, is stepping into the next phase of her recovery with optimism—armed with a strong prognosis and preparing for radiation therapy to finish what surgery started.
“They feel they got all of the cancer when they did the surgery. The cancer was found at a very early stage,” Simmons said in a recent Instagram video update.
Simmons, who starred on RHOD from 2016 to 2021, went public with her diagnosis in late July. Her cancer was caught early—meaning the tumor was small and hadn’t spread to lymph nodes—making it highly treatable.
WATCH: The Standard Treatment for Early-Stage Breast Cancers
Early Detection Through Self-Exams
In a powerful moment of self-awareness, Simmons revealed that she discovered the cancer herself during a routine self-exam.
“If I hadn’t been doing self-examinations, it wouldn’t have been found until much later,” she said, urging others to stay vigilant about changes in their bodies.
WATCH: Getting to Know Your Breasts with Self-Exams
Experts emphasize that monthly breast self-exams can be a critical tool in early detection. Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel can help you spot warning signs like new lumps, swelling, nipple changes, or unusual discharge. Simmons’ story is a reminder that proactive care can be life-saving.
It’s important to note that self-breast exams are not a substitute for a full mammogram.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 19: D’Andra Simmons attends the launch party for the book “Not All Diamonds and Rosé: The Inside Story of The Real Housewives from the People Who Lived It” at Capitale on October 19, 2021, in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Simmons is the third woman on her mother’s side to be diagnosed with breast cancer, a fact that deepens her resolve to raise awareness.
“I will be out there as a champion for breast cancer, just like my mother was,” Simmons said.
What Comes Next: Radiation Therapy
Simmons is now preparing for the next phase of treatment: radiation.
“I will start radiation, the second part of my treatment, in 3–4 weeks, and I have to take some medications,” she explained.
DALLAS, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 01: Jeremy Lock (L) and D’Andra Simmons at the 2nd Annual UNICEF Gala 2019 at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas on February 01, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images for UNICEF USA)
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.”
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.”
As she recovers, Simmons is easing back into her routine and returning to work. But her experience has reshaped her public platform. Already known for her advocacy, Simmons now brings a deeply personal lens to cancer advocacy.
“I will share all of my knowledge and information to help others going through this difficult disease,” Simmons said.
Breast self-exams remain a deeply personal choice—one that balances individual awareness with medical guidance. While not universally recommended in all clinical guidelines, many women find them to be a powerful tool for staying in tune with their bodies. If self-exams work for you and your doctor supports them, they can be a vital part of your health routine.
For Real Housewives of Dallas alum D’Andra Simmons, that intuition made all the difference.
“By the grace of God, thankfully, I found it early,” Simmons said, crediting her monthly self-exams and sharp awareness for catching her breast cancer before it progressed.
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.
Radiation Therapy: A Powerful Tool with Long-Term Considerations
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:
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.
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?
