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Cheryl Ladd, 74, Goes Public With Breast Cancer Diagnosis for the First Time
At the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ 50th anniversary panel, the actor shared what got her through: good doctors, a devoted husband and a costar who sent her wigs
(From left) Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd reunite at the “Charlie’s Angels” 50th anniversary celebration during PaleyFest in Hollywood, California, on April 6, 2026, a gathering that also spotlighted the cast’s experiences with breast cancer.
Julian Hamilton/Getty Images
Key takeaways
- Cheryl Ladd reveals for the first time that she survived an aggressive form of breast cancer.
- ‘Charlie’s Angels’ costars share decades of friendship and breast cancer battles.
- Early detection of breast cancer is critical, with survival rates reaching up to 99 percent when caught early.
Cheryl Ladd, 74, revealed for the first time on April 6 that she survived an aggressive form of breast cancer. The revelation came at a PaleyFest L.A. panel marking the 50th anniversary of Charlie’s Angels. It is a story about survival. And about what comes after it.
“It’s always a shock,” Ladd said, describing the diagnosis as “aggressive” and the experience as “humbling.” She credited her doctors and her husband for helping her through what came next.
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“I was bald,” she added, per People. “Eventually, I started to get little sprouts of hair. It was a long, hard road, but you just get on with it.”
All three women on that stage have faced breast cancer. Jaclyn Smith, 80, diagnosed in 2002, underwent a lumpectomy and radiation and has been cancer-free since. Kate Jackson, 77, was first diagnosed in 1987 and saw the disease return in 1989. She ultimately had a partial mastectomy with reconstructive surgery after her second diagnosis.
Smith supported Ladd during her treatment. “When Cheryl called me, the first thing I did was send her my wigs. She was so brave,” Smith said.
In an interview with Maria Shriver for Today, which aired April 7, the women discussed how their friendship carried them through it. “I always talk about the power of girlfriends. It’s so important,” Smith said.
“Charlie’s Angels” stars Kate Jackson, Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith in a 1978 episode of the show with Dean Martin.
ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images
Ladd picked up the thread, speaking about their onscreen relationship. “I felt the same way. I thought that showing women who were for each other, not competing with each other, that we were all for each other.”
Jackson closed it out. “Nobody ever had to say, ‘I’ve got your back.’ That was just the way it was.”
During their panel, the trio urged women to be vigilant, with Jackson telling the audience, “It’s really important to understand and embrace not being afraid of getting a mammogram. Early detection is key. Find it early enough, and you’ll probably be all right.”
Survival is one part of the story. Staying healthy is the rest. Each week, Dr. Adam Rosenbluth, a top internist and cardiologist, breaks down the questions readers actually have, from cancer and heart health to hormone changes, sweating and more.
The message is especially urgent for older women as breast cancer is most often diagnosed later in life, with a median diagnosis age of 62, according to the American Cancer Society. Mammograms can begin at 40, with annual mammograms recommended from 45 to 54. After 55, women can continue yearly or switch to every other year, while those at higher risk may need earlier and more frequent screening, including MRIs.
Regardless of the frequency, doctors also stress the importance of knowing what is normal for your own body. Any change is reason enough to call your doctor.
Harry Langdon/Getty Images
(From left) Jaclyn Smith, Cheryl Ladd and Kate Jackson pose for a portrait in Los Angeles in 1978.
The stakes are real, but so is the progress. The five-year survival rate for all types and stages of breast cancer combined stands at 92 percent, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Caught early, that number climbs to 99 percent. For all cancers combined, the five-year survival rate has reached an all-time high of 70 percent for diagnoses between 2015 and 2021, according to AARP, up from roughly half in the mid-1970s.
At their panel, Ladd put it plainest: “If you find a little something in your breasts … do not ignore it.”
Disclaimer: The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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