Jaclyn Smith, the former Charlie's Angels star, was recently in Seattle to talk about her struggle with breast cancer at an event for Strength in Knowing, a nationwide educational campaign. Though she hasn't been known to speak much on the subject previously, Farrah Fawcett's recent diagnosis has ended her silence. After interviewing her, the Seattle Times had this to say about the strong survivor:

Smith's tone turns serious when discussing the illness. Five years ago, her reaction to finding out she had the disease was "fear beyond fear," she said. "The world stops ... you go to the darkest place."

In addition to a lumpectomy and radiation, the "power of girlfriends" was her saving grace, she said. Her former colleague and friend, Farrah Fawcett, who is being treated for cancer herself, lives down the street.

Smith prides herself on being outside the Hollywood scene, spending much of her time close to home. "It's my family that makes my world go round," she said.

I think Smith, like so many amazing cancer survivors, is an inspiration.

Jaclyn Smith, one of the original stars of Charlie's Angels, speaks out about Farrah Fawcett's second round of cancer. Smith told Entertainment Tonight, "She's gonna get through it. She's getting well right now."

Smith is a cancer survivor herself and reflected on the fact that four of the stars of the show have had or currently have cancer including Kate Jackson, who had breast cancer twice and John Forsythe, who had colon cancer in 2006. "I don't know; were we drinking something in the water on that set?" she jokes.

Smith is the spokesperson for a new program, Strength in Knowing: The Facts and Fiction of Breast Cancer Risk. The program is a partnership between the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, the National Breast Cancer Organization and Eli Lilly and Company.

The power of positivity is subjective when it comes to cancer survival. There are those who argue that keeping up a positive attitude puts too much pressure on cancer patients. I think it depends on who you are at the time of cancer diagnosis, and what your individual personality style is in facing adversity, that is far more relevant to being a survivor.

Last Wednesday, when the news broke that Farrah Fawcett had been diagnosed with cancer, she asked that her privacy be respected. As is the case with most celebrities, it was not likely to happen. We have seen almost constant coverage in the details of her cancer diagnosis and treatment, and the paparazzi have captured in photographs her every movement.

Before the sun sets on this day, you are going to hear that Farrah Fawcett has been treated for colorectal cancer. Currently being reported in London newspapers -- here, here, and here -- the National Enquirer is running an exclusive story that Fawcett, famous poster sex symbol from the days of Charlie's Angels fame in the 70s, has already undergone radiation and surgery for a tumor found by doctors after her appearance at the Emmy Awards with Charlie's Angels co-stars Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson.

It might be true, and if so, we hope only the best for Farrah Fawcett. But we should hold out for something more substantial than the news being reported now, because we all remember the Whitney Houston brain tumor news, and Steven Tyler's throat cancer news. Which is why I am mentioning it here -- for a little cautionary perspective.

Update 4:30 (PST): Unfortunately, it appears this might be more than a rumor. Entertainment Tonight has published this report:

"ET confirms that Farrah Fawcett is battling cancer. Just minutes ago, the Charlie's Angels star released a statement to ET, saying, "Please respect my privacy at this challenging time."

The 59-year-old actress was last seen on the big screen in 2004 in The Cookout and has guest-starred on numerous TV shows in the past decade, including Ally McBeal, The Guardian, and Spin City."

Related post: Farrah Fawcett: Positivity is a necessity in cancer fight.