Cheryl Ladd opens up about ‘aggressive’ cancer battle two decades later

Cheryl Ladd has reflected on one of the most difficult chapters of her life, opening up about her breast cancer diagnosis more than two decades after her recovery.

The 74-year-old actress, best known for her role in Charlie's Angels, revealed she was diagnosed with “an aggressive form” of breast cancer in 2002. 

She underwent a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy and has since been living a healthy life.

Ladd shared her experience during a panel at PaleyFest in Los Angeles on April 6, where she reunited with former co-stars Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith to celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary.

“I was bald. It was a humbling experience,” Ladd told the audience, recalling her treatment. “But I had wonderful doctors, and I had a wonderful husband who was there for me at every turn.” 

She credited her husband, Brian Russell, for supporting her throughout the “long, long, hard road” to recovery.

Her decision to speak openly about her diagnosis was also shaped by the experiences of her co-stars. 

Jackson previously battled breast cancer in the late 1980s, while Farrah Fawcett, another original cast member, was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006 and died in 2009.

During the discussion, Smith revealed she supported Ladd during treatment by sending her wigs, calling her “so brave.”

Reflecting on her journey, Ladd emphasized the importance of early detection, urging others not to ignore warning signs. “If you find a little something in your breasts… do not ignore it,” she said.