Continuing with featured singers who have survived cancer, in honor of all the hard working scientists leading the fight to uncover the processes behind cancer, today's Friday Fabulous Female is the great Carly Simon.

Carly Simon was born in New York City and raised in the Bronx. Her father is the co-founder of Simon & Schuster and her mother was a civil rights activist.

Carly's music career began in 1971 at the age of 26, but her biggest success came with the release of the song "You're so Vain" in 1973. Carly dated many egotistical men and no one knows which man was the inspiration for that song. The top contenders are Mick Jagger and Warren Beauty, although Kris Kristofferson is a close third. In 2003, the name of that man was auctioned off at a charity function for $50,000 with the condition that the winner could not reveal who it is. 

"You're so Vain" was one of the best selling songs of the decade, staying at #1 for six consecutive weeks when it came out. It achieved Platinum status 25 years later in 1997.

Also, in 1997, Simon underwent chemotherapy and a mastectomy for breast cancer in 1997 and 1998. She had the lump in her breast for several years but her doctors advised against surgery. Finally one doctor said, 'You know what, I'd rather see it in a jar than in your breast.'

It's surprising that doctors would advise to leave a breast lump in place, but it just shows how far we've come in understanding women's health and taking breast cancer seriously.

Here is the song that made her famous, performed live on Martha's Vineyard. The scenery is as breathtaking as Carly. Makes me miss New England!

You're so Vain