Sheryl Crow Says Breast Cancer Is 'Treatable If Caught Early'

Sheryl Crow was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in 2006; she had caught it early, thanks to her annual mammogram.

Later, in 2012, she found out that she also had a benign brain tumor called a meningioma, according to CBS News.

Crow was able to identify and treat her breast cancer only because she kept getting regular mammograms, and since her diagnosis, Crow has worked relentlessly to raise awareness about the importance of the procedure.

"I've spent the past decade sharing my experience with breast cancer with women across the world — from my fans to their sisters, daughters and mothers — in the hopes that they will learn from my experience and prioritize their health. It's so important to me because I came incredibly close to missing the opportunity to find my cancer early," she wrote for People in an exclusive op-ed.

In her documentary, "Sheryl," the singer shared that "2006 was a particularly tumultuous time of my life."

She was going through a public breakup and trying to focus on her career while battling the paparazzi. But even then, she made sure to maintain her health. "I've always been a healthy person who prioritized eating well and exercising, but at that time it seemed impossible to focus on anything other than getting through each day and keeping my career going."

Because of everything that was going on in her life, she was very tempted to delay her annual mammogram. "Fortunately, I kept that appointment, and my breast cancer was found early, giving me an opportunity to begin treatment and move on with my life," she said.

She then wrote about how, since then, there have been countless advancements in the field of cancer detection and treatment, adding that there is hope for people who have been diagnosed with cancer, much more now than before.

"For the majority of women, breast cancer is treatable if caught early. My story is a testament that you can go on to live a long, healthy life after diagnosis. As a breast cancer survivor who credits early detection for saving my life, I have made it part of my life story to help educate women about the importance of scheduling their annual mammograms. It's my hope that women who watch "Sheryl" will be inspired to advocate for themselves in all aspects of their lives, especially when it comes to preventive health screenings," Crow concluded.

"Sheryl" premiered on Showtime on May 6 at 9 p.m. ET.