( CNN ) -- Joan Lunden made a bold move when she posed for the cover of this week 's People magazine . The former `` Good Morning America '' host appears with sparkling eyes and a broad smile , but without her trademark golden locks . At 64 , Lunden is fighting an aggressive form of breast cancer , and has shaved her head as she goes through treatment . Joan Lunden , former 'GMA ' host , has cancer . While she could have worn a wig for People 's photo shoot , the longtime health advocate saw an opportunity to raise awareness . `` I had to make this big decision about whether or not to do the cover with no hair , '' Lunden told People . `` It certainly is n't the comfortable way to go , but I decided I was going to try and help others and show women that this is n't the end of the world . You can go on -- and that was hugely empowering . '' Lunden was diagnosed with stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer in June . While sharing the news on `` Good Morning America '' that month , she got some valuable advice on the ABC program from breast cancer survivor and `` GMA '' co-anchor Robin Roberts . Joan Lunden , former 'GMA ' host , talks about her battle with breast cancer . `` Robin told me waiting for your hair to fall out is excruciating . So I did n't want to wait , '' Lunden said . `` When it starts to go , it 's shocking , embarrassing and depressing . Pre-empt it . Get it shaved off . I did that . And I thought it was going to be like the biggest deal in the world . And you know what ? I felt I did n't have it done to me . I walked in and I said , 'Do this . ' '' After consulting with doctors , Lunden opted for an unconventional treatment plan that calls for chemotherapy -- as opposed to the typical mastectomy or lumpectomy -- with the goal of shrinking her tumors so surgery can be minimal . `` You have all these decisions to make , and you have to make them quickly . I had no choice but to go into warrior mode and take this head-on , '' Lunden told People . After 12 weeks of chemotherapy , Lunden learned that two tumors had shrunk by nearly 95 % . She was able to bypass the second and more difficult phase of chemotherapy , and after a September 23 surgery to remove the remaining mass she 's now focusing on her recovery . `` I was handed an opportunity to learn everything that I can about this and try to help others , '' she said to People , `` the opportunity to turn something bad into something good . And that is the most amazing thing . ''
Joan Lunden poses for People magazine without her wig . The longtime health advocate says she wanted to empower other women . Hide Caption 3 of 11 Photos: