Doctor Kylie Minogue

The singer, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2005, was made an honorary Doctor of Health Sciences by Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford, southern England.

Wearing a doctoral cap and gown, Minogue told students at Wednesday’s graduation ceremony that being diagnosed with cancer made her “appreciate at first hand the hard work that goes on to support patients through it.”

Minogue underwent chemotherapy and surgery before resuming a career that has made her a superstar in Britain and her native Australia.

Her well-publicized diagnosis has been credited with encouraging young women to undergo screening – the so-called “Kylie effect.”