Should a Celebrity Reveal a Major Illness? by Jeannie Giordano

One of the most recent examples is Georgia Frontiere, the Rams owner, who died at 80 of breast cancer. Family members and team officials kept her illness a secret according to her wishes.

Battling disease can be difficult enough without having to worry about the extra attention and unwanted press that this kind of news can bring. Deciding to reveal an illness or a deeply personal issue is not only scary, it can leave one feeling vulnerable.

For a public figure facing this decision, not revealing a major illness might seem like the obvious choice. There are other reasons a celebrity might not want to reveal their illness, besides the unwanted press.

Most people, celebrities included, want to be remembered for their work, not their disease. Also, going public with a disease can effectively end their career, so many choose to keep their battles private.

Great goodness can come from revealing a major illness, despite the difficulties in doing so.

Raising awareness is a positive by-product of speaking publicly about a disease. It can also help to encourage those at risk to get screened.

Lance Armstrong, a major sports figure who just won his 7th Tour de France race, revealed his battle with testicular cancer, even while his cancer metastasized to his lungs and brain.

What is the reason these celebrities reveal their illnesses? I have a hunch it's because the act of confessing is restorative. Clarity and a new purpose is often the end-result.

YouReveal.com is a gateway portal for revealing secrets and confessions anonymously. Learn more about celebrities secrets and confessions, and see this special and supportive space.

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Comment by oandee Mar. 31,2008 +1

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