Updated December 29, 2014.
In September 2006, Charlie's Angel Farrah Fawcett began her long journey with anal cancer, a rare disease that affects only 5,000 people in the U.S. each year. Anal cancer is diagnosed more often in women than in men and is associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Fawcett immediately began radiation treatment and chemotherapy, which are standard treatments for anal cancer. She issued this statement at the time of her diagnosis: "I am resolutely strong and I am determined to bite the bullet and fight the fight while going through the next six weeks of cutting-edge, state-of-the-art treatment.
I should be able to return to my life as it was before at the end of my treatment." After completing the six-week treatment course, the actress was reportedly in good spirits and optimistic about her future.
Five months after Farrah was diagnosed with cancer, she was declared cancer-free. Unfortunately, during a routine checkup in May 2007, a malignant polyp was discovered, indicating that the cancer had returned. Only 15 percent of of people treated for anal cancer experience a recurrence like Farrah experienced -- it is commonly a curable disease.
On June 25, 2009, Farrah's long battle with cancer ended. She died at a Santa Monica hospital with her longtime love interest, Ryan O'Neill, by her side.
In September 2006, Charlie's Angel Farrah Fawcett began her long journey with anal cancer, a rare disease that affects only 5,000 people in the U.S. each year. Anal cancer is diagnosed more often in women than in men and is associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Fawcett immediately began radiation treatment and chemotherapy, which are standard treatments for anal cancer. She issued this statement at the time of her diagnosis: "I am resolutely strong and I am determined to bite the bullet and fight the fight while going through the next six weeks of cutting-edge, state-of-the-art treatment.
I should be able to return to my life as it was before at the end of my treatment." After completing the six-week treatment course, the actress was reportedly in good spirits and optimistic about her future.
Five months after Farrah was diagnosed with cancer, she was declared cancer-free. Unfortunately, during a routine checkup in May 2007, a malignant polyp was discovered, indicating that the cancer had returned. Only 15 percent of of people treated for anal cancer experience a recurrence like Farrah experienced -- it is commonly a curable disease.
On June 25, 2009, Farrah's long battle with cancer ended. She died at a Santa Monica hospital with her longtime love interest, Ryan O'Neill, by her side.