Fran Drescher Shares How Her Cancer Diagnosis Propelled Her to Educate and Empower Women

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and tonight I'm joined by Fran Drescher, a leading voice in cancer advocacy. The Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated star of the hit '90s sit-comis also the founder and president of the "Cancer Schmancer" Movement, which promotes early detection, prevention, and policy change.
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and tonight I'm joined by Fran Drescher, a leading voice in cancer advocacy. The Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated star of the hit '90s sit-com The Nanny is also the founder and president of the "Cancer Schmancer" Movement, which promotes early detection, prevention, and policy change. The organization is hosting its first annual Women's Health Summit on October 13th at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles.

Now a 14-year uterine cancer survivor, Drescher was first misdiagnosed and mistreated for a perimenopausal condition that she did not have, and it took her two years and eight doctors before finally receiving an accurate diagnosis.

In the clip below, she shares how her own story has driven her to encourage women to not only be patients, but informed medical consumers.

For more of our conversation, be sure to tune in to Tavis Smiley on PBS. Check our website for your local TV listings: www.pbs.org/tavis.

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