When Should a Celebrity Reveal a Major Illness?

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.

Having to worry about the extra attention and unwanted press this kind of news can bring is undesirable, especially while battling disease. Making the decision to reveal an illness can leave one feeling scared and 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.

It should be said however, that despite the difficulties in mentioning a serious illness to the public, great good can come from revealing it.

Speaking about the disease publicly can help raise awareness for it, and also help to encourage those at risk to get screened.

Another example: Lance Armstrong, who just won his 7th Tour de France race, shed light on testicular cancer, even while his cancer had spread 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.

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