Lisa Lisa Reveals Hidden Battle With Breast Cancer At 21: Even Her Mother Didn’t Know!
On the May 16 episode of The Tamron Hall Show, ’80s pop sensation Lisa Lisa shared a deeply personal story about her struggle with breast cancer at the young age of 21. The singer, now 57, revealed that she kept her diagnosis a secret, even from her mother, while she was on tour.
Reflecting on the challenging time, Lisa Lisa said, “It was hard to talk about back then. “It was hard, there was no one to speak on it…The guys used to ask me, ‘Are you gaining weight? Are you pregnant?’ I was like, ‘No I’m going through chemo.’ No one knew, I had to hide it basically, my mom didn’t even know.”
Her journey began during a nine-month tour when she noticed unusual bruises on her body. “I was just checking myself out one day and I was like, ‘Wow, what are these bruises?’ And I said I have to go get checked,” she recalled. During a tour stop, she visited a doctor who diagnosed her with ductal carcinoma in situ, a non-invasive, stage zero cancer confined to the milk ducts.
Despite the diagnosis, Lisa Lisa chose to continue performing while undergoing chemotherapy. “It was difficult. It was really, really hard,” she admitted.
“I didn’t know what to do, who to speak to. My doctor was like, ‘You should not be on tour,’ and I said, ‘I have to work because I have bills to pay,’” she added.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, aside from skin cancers. According to the National Cancer Institute, early detection through mammograms can help catch the disease early and reduce the likelihood of it spreading. The U.S. Preventive Services Task force recommends that women start getting regular mammograms at age 40.
Lisa Lisa’s story highlights the importance of early detection and the strength required to face such a diagnosis while continuing with life and work.
Health officials also stress the importance of “breast self-awareness,” encouraging women to become familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts. This awareness helps individuals recognize any unusual changes and seek medical advice promptly.
