By popular vote, Australia's beloved pop diva and breast cancer survivor has been chosen as the most inspirational celebrity of 2006. Sugar magazine teen readers indicated that Minogue represents their first choice as an inspirational role model for young women. From the beginning of her breast cancer diagnosis, Minogue has shared her very personal battle with breast cancer in a very public way, raising awareness for the disease among a younger generation of women whose attention to breast health might not have been as focused otherwise.
Earlier this month, Minogue was named the Gold Choice Celebrity of the Year in the Sydney Confidential People's Choice Awards by Australia's Daily Telegraph readers.
For a retrospective of Kylie Minogue's breast cancer journey:
- Kylie Minogue: voted favorite traveling companion of men.
- Kylie Minogue: world exclusive interview with Sky One.
- Kylie Minogue loses close friend and personal chauffeur to cancer.
- Kylie Minogue: back on stage as a breast cancer survivor.
- Kylie Minogue: laughter is the best medicine for cancer cure.
- Dannii Minogue: sings under pressure about sister Kylie.
- Kylie Minogue breast cancer survivor glows in health.
- Kylie Minogue: cancer survivor writes children's book.
- Kylie Minogue joins women in fight for Herceptin.
- Kylie Minogue in breast cancer remission.
Twenty years from now, no one will die of cancer and heart disease, according to an expert in Perth, who believes advances in genetic technology will one day leave death by cancer in the dust.
Celebrities can bring awareness to cancer causes. Celebrities can attract money to cancer fundraisers. Celebrities influence our society in fashion and lifestyle trends. Whether you are one who thinks celebrities have too much influence, and wondering why there seems a global obsession with celebrity -- or you are someone who applauds the efforts of those who have risen to success in fame and fortune and take time to give back, there is no doubting celebrities have power. And even when celebrities aren't trying to make a difference, they do, by the simple fact they are a celebrity. 
Pete Wells, slide guitarist and one of the founders
of the Australian power blues band Rose Tattoo, has lost his fight for life to prostate cancer. In 2002, when Wells was
diagnosed with cancer, he was told he had six months to live. He outlived the original diagnosis, but ultimately, not
the cancer. 
