Georgia Frontiere, the Rams owner, who died at 80 of breast cancer, is a recent example. According to her wishes, her illness was kept a secret by family members and team officials.

Having to worry about the extra attention and unwanted press this kind of news can bring is undesirable, especially while battling disease. Making the decision to reveal an illness can leave one feeling scared and vulnerable.

Choosing not to reveal a major illness might seem like the obvious choice for a public figure faced with this decision. Besides the unwanted press, there are other reasons a celebrity might choose not to reveal their illness.

For one, they likely don’t want anyone to see them as sick. They want people to see their work, not their disease. In addition, going public with an illness can be a career-ender, so many choose to keep their battles private.

Despite the difficulties in mentioning a serious illness to the public, much good can come from revealing it.

Raising awareness is a positive by-product of speaking publicly about a disease. It can also help to encourage those at risk to get screened.

One well-known sports figure, Lance Armstrong who just won his 7th Tour de France race, revealed having testicular cancer, even while his cancer had spread to his brain and lungs.

What is the reason these celebrities reveal their illnesses? I have a hunch it’s because the act of confessing is restorative. Clarity and a new purpose is often the end-result.

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