October is usually welcomed with pumpkin picking and children scattering to choose Halloween costumes. It is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Several websites, blogs and social media pages around the global will be going pink for the duration of October.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which has been around for 25 years, is an annual campaign dedicated to increase awareness of the disease. It is a collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness.

More than 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2008 more than 40,000 women lost their battle against breast cancer.

A recent study found that a third of women are too scared to conduct self-exams.

Though some health experts believe celebrity involvement in public health campaigns can do more harm than good, Simon Chapman, Professor of Public Health at the University of Sydney, believes celebrity endorsement can bring personal and compelling authenticity to public health issues.

To kick off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, reduce fear and motivate more women to conduct self-exams, here are a list of celebrities who battled breast cancer and won.

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Robin Roberts
In 2007 at the age of 46, "Good Morning America" host underwent surgery to treat breast cancer. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
Wanda Sykes
In 2011 at the age of 47, comedian Wanda Sykes was diagnosed with breast cancer following what was supposed to be a breast reduction procedure. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Cynthia Nixon
In 2006. at the age of 40, the Sex and The City actress was diagnosed with breast cancer. She did not go public with her condition until 2008, following the premiere of Sex and The City, the movie. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
Christina Applegate
In 2008, at the age of 36, Applegate was diagnosed with breast cancer. A month following her diagnosis she underwent surgery and was 100 percent cancer free. Additionally, she opted to have both her breasts removed in an operation known as a prophylactic double mastectomy, even though cancerous lumps were only found in one breast. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok
Giuliana Rancic
The E!News host was diagnosed with breast cancer last October at the age of 36. While going through the process of trying in vitro fertilization, doctors suggested Rancic should be screened for breast cancer and that is when her cancer was detected. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok
Kylie Minogue
Australian singer Kylie Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36. The "Kylie effect," as it is often referred to, led to an unprecedented increase in breast cancer screening. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni