A Timeline of Suzanne Somers’ Struggle with Cancer

Suzanne Somers died on Oct. 15 after a 23-year battle with cancer, PEOPLE has confirmed. She was 76 years old.

The Three’s Company the actress has been very open about her health issues over the years, including a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2000. During her life, she also experienced several other forms of cancer.

Her husband, Alan Hamel, and son, Bruce Somers Jr., supported the actress every step of the way, from the first diagnosis to the last moments.

Here’s a complete timeline of Somers’ cancer journey and what she and her loved ones had to say about her experiences with the disease.

Suzanne Somers battled cancer three times during the filming of ‘Three’s Company’.

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

1977-1984: Suzanne Somers Faces Cancer Three Times During ‘Three’s Company’

While portraying her most iconic character, Chrissy Snow he Three’s CompanySomers said she has been treated for cancer three times.

“Even when I was Chrissy Three’s Company, I’ve had cancer three times,” Somers told CBS News in 2020. “They call it severe hyperplasia of your uterus. I didn’t deal with it too much.

In the same interview, the actress and businesswoman said that she had a malignant melanoma on her back in her 30s.

April 2000: Suzanne Somers reveals her breast cancer diagnosis

In 2001, Somers said on Larry King live that she was treated for breast cancer for a year. The actress explained that doctors discovered the cancer in April 2000 during a routine mammogram.

Somers went public with her diagnosis following a tabloid story about her liposuction, which sparked a media frenzy for her partnership with ThighMaster. During the appearance, she confirmed that she underwent liposuction after her diagnosis to “even things out”.

“The thing is, my program works,” she said of ThighMaster at the time. “But I had to do something with another part of my body.”

The Step by step the star also shared that she plans to give up chemotherapy and treat cancer with alternative medicine.

2001: Suzanne Somers reflects on her breast cancer diagnosis

“Saying the words out loud in public — ‘I have breast cancer’ — shook my soul,” Somers told PEOPLE in 2001.

When she received her initial diagnosis, she and Hamel “were silent, barely speaking, in disbelief, like this wasn’t happening, wondering if this was a little mistake or the end of my life?” she remembered.

In the same interview, The New York Times the bestselling author — who has written more than 25 books — also looked to the future and how her cancer diagnosis and experience can help others.

“But now that it’s happened, I’m going to turn it into a blessing and I’m going to gather all the information I can and pass it on, because I realize that other women are listening,” she said at the time.

Suzanne Somers in 2003.

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2007: Suzanne Somers declares she is cancer free

Somers said in 2007 for Los Angeles Times that after cancer treatment with radiation, lumpectomy and alternative medicine, she cured the cancer.

The actress also stated that her breast cancer diagnosis is a big part of her entrepreneurial drive.

Somers echoed that sentiment in 2019, telling PEOPLE that her diagnosis in 2000 was the “wake-up call” that ultimately inspired her to launch her own beauty brand, Suzanne Organics.

“I would say one of the greatest gifts I had was cancer 20 years ago,” she said. “And you don’t think the day you heard the words ‘you have cancer,’ but that was my wake-up call. What am I doing? What am I eating? What is my lifestyle? What products do I use?”

“I just thought, I’m going to win my way, I’m going to change my life,” Somers added.

She reiterated that her doctors believe her organic, chemical-free lifestyle is what keeps her in tip-top shape in a statement she shared with Party tonight in July 2023.

“My doctors said I wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t led a chemical-free life, assisted by bioidentical hormones,” Somers said at the time. “I’m so grateful to my fans for all the love wishes. It means so much to me.”

Hamel confirmed this in an interview with Page six at the time, telling the outlet, “All of her doctors said if she wouldn’t have lived an organic, chemical-free life with the help of bioidentical hormones, she wouldn’t be with us.”

November 2008: Suzanne Somers is misdiagnosed with full-body cancer

In her book Knockout: Interviews with the doctors who treat cancer and how to prevent it in the first placeSomers revealed that she had been misdiagnosed with full-body cancer.

“For six days, six doctors confirmed that I had inoperable cancer. I went into that valley of fear. I saw my death, it was horrible,” Somers told CBS News at the time.

Before learning a week later that she had been misdiagnosed, Somers interviewed several doctors about alternative treatments to chemotherapy. She later included the research in her book, which drew criticism from the American Cancer Society.

“Cancer is an epidemic,” the actress said in an October 2009 interview the day before the film’s release Lay out, according to NBC News. “And yet we keep going back to the same old pot, because that’s all we’ve got. Well, this is a book about options.”

“I’m ‘we’. I’m not them. I’ve been on the other side of the bed. And it’s powerful to have information,” she added.

However, Dr. Otis Brawley, the American Cancer Society’s chief medical and scientific officer at the time, told NBC News, “I’m very afraid that people will listen to her message and follow what she’s saying and be harmed by it.”

“We use current treatments because they have been proven to prolong life. They have gone through a logical, scientific method of evaluation,” explained Brawley. “I don’t know if Suzanne Somers even knows that there IS a logical, scientific method.”

Suzanne Somers 2020.

Paul Archuleta/Getty

July 2023: Suzanne Somers reveals her breast cancer has returned

In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Somers shared that her breast cancer has returned.

Alongside a photo of herself and Hamel, 87, she wrote: “As you know, I had breast cancer two decades ago, and every now and then it comes back, and I continue to fight it. I used the best alternative and conventional treatments to fight it .”

“This is not new territory for me,” she continued. “I know how to put on my battle gear and I’m a fighter.”

In the same post, Somers thanked her husband, family and fans for their unwavering support.

“Alan was by my side every step of the way,” she wrote. “I can’t even explain how much he’s done for me. If it’s even possible, we’re even closer than ever. My amazing family has been so supportive and has helped a lot by keeping the business going so you can still have access to all the wonderful products. Thank you for continuous love and support. The only thing that matters is who you love and who loves you — and I love you!”

Somers’ son Bruce wrote in the comments: “I’ve been betting on you my whole life! I love you mom! And thank you all for your kind and thoughtful support and love.”

Bruce’s wife, Caroline, also expressed her support for her mother-in-law amid her diagnosis: “You are the face of resilience! I’ll bet on you any day! I love you so much.”

Bruce and Caroline’s daughter Camelia wrote to her grandmother: “STRONGEST WARRIOR GODDESS!!!!!!! So proud to be your granddaughter.”

Somers also shared a statement for Party tonight at the time, in which she revealed that she had been treated for skin cancer in her twenties before being diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I’ve lived with cancer since my 20s. And every time that little whore comes along, I keep pushing it away. I’m doing my best not to let this sneaky disease control me,” she wrote. “It’s a recurrence of my breast cancer. As with any cancer patient, when you get that dreaded ‘It’s back,’ you get a pit in your stomach.”

“My cancer is a disease that has affected my whole family and once it hit me in my 20s, Alan and I became even closer and every moment of every day was precious. We haven’t spent a day apart in over 42 years . That’s a big advantage of my cancer,” she continued. “My son describes our relationship as functionally codependent. And my amazing family has been incredibly supportive every step of the way.”

Hamel also talked about his wife’s history of cancer Page six at the time of her diagnosis: “Suzanne has lived with cancer her whole life. She also dealt with two hyperplasias in her 20s… which is the waiting room for cancer.”

“Now she’s facing her cancer again,” he said, adding that “on June 6, she made a full recovery, but cancer is tricky and we’re going to be keeping a close eye on everything going forward.”

October 2023: Suzanne Somers dies

Somers died on October 15, 2023, one day before she would have turned 77.

While talking to PEOPLE about her birthday plans, Hamel revealed that Somers had just completed physical therapy and praised the resilience she’s shown during her cancer journey.

“Suzanne and I just got home from the Midwest where Suzanne had six weeks of intensive physical therapy,” the former TV host told PEOPLE. “Even after our five decades together, I still admire Suzanne’s incredible determination and dedication.”

Somers’ longtime publicist, R. Couri Hay, confirmed her death to PEOPLE in a statement she shared on behalf of the actress’ family: “Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15. She had survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for more than 23 years .”

“Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, son Bruce and her immediate family,” the statement continued. “Her family gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her so much.”

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