Her strength helped her beat ovarian cancer and stay clear for years. But when breast cancer hit, her fight continued. She wasn’t shocked as it runs in her family.
To stop the spread, Bates chose a double mastectomy. She turned her pain into inspiration for other women. Despite hardship, she kept her humor, joking, “I miss ‘Harry’s Law’ more than my breasts,” and thanked fans for support.
Now cancer-free but with lymph nodes removed, Bates has lymphedema. About 30% of breast cancer survivors get it, causing pain and swelling. But she won’t let it limit her. She shares her story to encourage women to get regular checks and know they’re not alone.