Angel tells of breast cancer

She seemed invincible as Kelly Garrett on the television series "Charlie's Angels." However, in real life Jaclyn Smith, model, Breck Girl, and entrepreneur, was thrown for a loop when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002.

"It was fear and panic," Smith said of when she first heard the news. "You can't imagine it; I felt healthy."

As with many women, Smith's breast cancer was discovered at an annual exam. However, in true Angels' style, Smith wasn't down for the count. She quickly became involved in a program that informs women on every aspect of the disease.

In her latest starring role, Smith uses her own breast cancer journey as a pivotal character in a national tour, "Strength in Knowing: The Facts and Fiction of Breast Cancer Risk."

The program, which starts at 6 p.m. today at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, is a partnership between the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization based in Chicago, and Eli Lilly and Company. The three-hour educational program is designed to help women separate the facts from fiction regarding breast cancer risk factors.

The evening will include a discussion of treatment options as well as a self-exam demonstration, in addition to Smith's personal presentation.

Afterward, she will mingle with the audience during a light reception.

"All of a sudden there's this immediate communication with somebody," Smith said of her interaction with attendees. "It's like you know each other immediately. You can communicate on something when someone else has experienced it. It's a bond. There's no getting to know you. You just sit there and talk and open up about your greatest fears and your vulnerabilities."

Smith said she got through her ordeal in part, through the love and support she received from family and friends. Yet, it was the knowledge from programs like Strength in Knowing that gave her power.

"Yes, every now and then I might say, 'God, how did this happen to me?' But you need to educate yourself so the fear about the statistics goes away," said the 59-year-old. "You need to get on the other side of fear and I'm trying to help women do that by doing this tour."

Smith wants women to know that there doesn't have to be a family history for people to get breast cancer. Just getting older can increase risk.

"I'm doing this tour to impress on women how important it is to do a yearly mammogram, self-exams, and realize what your risk factors are," said Smith, who added it helps to know those in similar situations. "That's another reason I'm doing it. Women need other women going through it."

If you go

What: Strength in Knowing: The Facts and Fiction of Breast Cancer Risk

When: 6 p.m. today

Where: Chicago Symphony Orchestra Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago

Cost: Free

Register: (866) 408-6744, or at the door

Web: www.strengthinknowing.com