Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States (other than skin cancers), and it accounts for about 30 percent of all new cancers among women each year, according to the American Cancer Society. Chances are, you or someone you know has been directly affected by breast cancer as it continues to be the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
Fortunately, with regular mammograms and breast ultrasounds, breast cancer can be detected early, which is why it’s so important to schedule your yearly exams. On top of annual health screenings, education about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of breast cancer is critical, so it’s especially impactful when celebrities share their experience, using their platforms to increase awareness and promote more wellness checks.
Plus, when you’re dealing with something like breast cancer and its side effects, especially when it comes to treatment like chemotherapy and radiation, it can helpful to know you’re not alone. Check out these stars who have opened up about their battles with breast cancer.
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Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate has had several health battles over the years. Her experience with multiple sclerosis has been most publicized recently, but the “Dead to Me” star also had breast cancer.
She was diagnosed in 2008 at the age of 36 and underwent a bilateral mastectomy. “It came on really fast. It was one of those things that I woke up and it felt so right,” she recalled about her decision to have the procedure on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
“It just seemed like, ‘I don’t want to have to deal with this again. I don’t want to keep putting that stuff in my body. I just want to be done with this.’ . . . I was just going to let them go,” Applegate went on to say. She also told Oprah that the experience changed her entire perspective. “I have taken a very progressive stance in the rest of my life,” she says. “For that, I’m really grateful.”
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– Additional reporting by Alexis Jones
Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based freelance writer and graduate from Emory University and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Her work has appeared in PS, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, and elsewhere.
Alexis Jones is the senior health editor at POPSUGAR. Her areas of expertise include women’s health, mental health, racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, diversity in wellness, and chronic conditions. Prior to joining POPSUGAR, she was the senior editor at Health magazine. Her other bylines can be found at Women’s Health, Prevention, Marie Claire, and more.
