'Survivor' Star Jennifer Lyon Dies of Breast Cancer

By PopEater Staff Posted Jan 20th 2010 02:14PM

Jennifer Lyon, who earned fourth place on 'Survivor Palau,' died Tuesday at home in Oregon after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. She was 37.

"She had beaten it into remission once, but then it came back and was in her bones," 'Survivor: Micronesia' star Eliza Orlins told TVGuide.com. UsMagazine.com confirmed the sad news.

The former nanny was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer two months after the tenth season of 'Survivor' wrapped in 2005. That year, she told PEOPLE about finding out about the cancer and how she was forced to get a bilateral mastectomy that summer.

"In the summer of 2004, I felt something in my right breast that didn't feel normal," Lyon said. "I thought it was probably scar tissue related to my breast implants. So I let it go -- for a long time."

Lyon, who had become an advocate for other women struggling with the disease, thanked fans on her Web site, which still displays the message.

Thank you so much to everyone for sending their encouragement and prayers. It means so much to me and every single one is appreciated. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Jenn

Austin Carty, another 'Survivor' alum, called Lyon a "genuinely selfless, sweet-natured person."

"She was engaged in the greatest fight of her life, but she had every intention to fight and spread her positive messages," Carty said.

Tags: jennifer lyon, survivor palau

Comments

(102)

Wednesday 20 January

By j3fmly

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And they're saying women shouldn't get mammograms until they're 50?? DON'T LISTEN TO THAT!! If you are 40+ be sure to get your mammograms done yearly!!! She was far too young.

By kim

YOUR SO RIGHT! and if someone in your immediate family was diagnosed (lets say at 40), you should insist on getting them starting around 30. 10 yrs prior to their diagnoses

By Dana

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Actually you're suppose to get a mammo after the birth of your first child

By James

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It's called "healthcare rationing" and you need to get used to it. Thank a demon-crat next time you see one. Their mission is to kill you.

By Michelle

I AGREE!!!! I started getting them at 29 because of fibrous breasts.

By NOREEN

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You need to realize that Mammography gives off massive amounts of radiation often for less than average results. Pre-menapausal breast tissue is usually too dense to give an accurate picture. Ultrasonic technology provides a much more accurate picture with virtually no radiation. The push to get younger women to have mammographys is backed by the insurance industry not the AMA. They know they can't depend on those results.

Thursday 21 January

By carol

She also needed to go to her doctor. I agree fully with you. I think that women should have a mannogram every year. No insurance, well were did she get the money for breast implants. Insurance or not your life is more important.

By Mary Mo

I had my first mammogram at 35. She died at 37. maybe we should lower the age.

By susan

You are absolutely correct.. My mother in law is a 2 time breast cancer survivor thanks to early detection on a mammo...I go every year and will continue.. I would rather take my chances on the small amount of radiation that I get from a Mammo than chemo and radiation treatments for breast cancer. I have worked in the medical field long enough to see nothings turn into somethings..But to each their own..

By Dennis

She was certainly a SURVIVOR in ALL ways! God rest her soul!

By Jackie

Very classy post for a very classy Lady. Gone far too soon. God bless her soul.

By leolux10

Ummm, how's that? She died. One battle proved too much.

May she rest now. R.I.P.

By lking4trbl

It's also important to pay attention to your body. Jenn admits that she felt something abnormal but let it go for over a year. Always get it checked out, especially if you have implants. I'd rather be called a hypochondriac than a statistic.

By kris

Jenn is from my (small) hometown in Oregon. She didn't get it checked out because she did not have medical insurance. Additionally, she felt it may be scar tissue from her breast implants.

By TODD

r.i.p jenn- god bless her family and friends and all cancer patients.

By Renee

Best said. Sorry for your loss, at such a young age, condolences to the family. She fought hard and end the end had to lay down her sword, there will be others that remain to fight to the end for a cure! She will NOT be forgotten.

By Michele

Diagnosing breast cancer early does not neccessarily mean you will prolong your life. Ms. Lyon felt her mass in 2004 ( six years ago ), which means it was already in her body and possibly invading her other organs for some time. Since it was a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer, there is a very good chance that even with early diagnosis, her length of survival would have been the same. Additonally, she had breast implants and it's possible that surgery triggered and activated the spread of a cancer that would have been otherwise lay dormant. Mammograms are good and helpful, but they do not guarantee cure or a longer survival rate. Early diagnosis just enables treatment sooner. It's a trade-off: Shooting all that radiation into your breasts every year isn't such a great idea, in my opinion, either. It amazes me how many women will go for Mammograms each year, but ignore high blood pressure, little chest pains or other serious health issues. With all the P.R., we think that breast cancer is the only thing we need to worry about or that can kill us. Personally, I have chosen to get a Mammogram every OTHER year. It's best to talk to your doctor and make your own decision regarding mammograms. This is just my opinion.

By patri

my sister had a mammogram every year for 30 years and wound up with cancer in both breasts. i have a mammo about once every 8 or 9 years. nothing can convince that all that radiation doesn't have a negative effect.

By Alyce

Early diagnosis can often help even "a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer". As well, breast implant surgery wouldn't have "triggered and activated the spread of a cancer that would have been otherwise lay dormant". There is no research to back up that suggestion. Breast implants may make it more difficult to read a mammogram, possibly resulting in a problem, but surgery does not "activate" cancer.

My deepest sympathy to Jennifer Lyon's family and friends.

By njgirlxxxx

My Dr. said it takes a year for cancer to show up on a mammo.

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