Christina Applegate's Cancer Testing Crusade
Breast cancer survivor CHRISTINA APPLEGATE has launched a campaign to encourage women to undergo early testing for the deadly disease.
The Anchorman star insists it was the doctor-ordered MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan that helped her to beat the illness, following her diagnosis last month (Jul08).
And the actress has responded by launching her own initiative to raise funds in an effort to help women at risk of contracting breast cancer.
She says, "Besides me being really vigilant about it, (the MRI) is the number one reason that I'm going to live. If this had been caught a year from now, or when I was 40, I probably wouldn't be able to live through this, or I would have to undergo such much more than I have.
"It's incredibly expensive. So for me, one of the things when this all happened was that I'm putting together a program to pay for MRIs for women who are at high risk - which means women who have had it in their family, or know that they're gene-positive.
"We're also going to pay for the (genetic) testing, because that's very, very expensive - it's upwards of $2,000 to $3,000... so all of that is coming together right now."
Last month (Jul08), Applegate announced plans to participate in the U.S. TV telethon Stand Up To Cancer on 5 September (08), joining Meryl Streep, Sally Field, Jennifer Aniston and Scarlett Johansson in raising money for cancer research.
Comments
double mastectomy too
I too had double mastectomy for breast cancer!
It really is the better choice....... I had reconstruction right away..... I also chose to have the chemo upfront before my surgery and I continued on with further treatment of radiation approx 2 months after my removal/reconstruction.
I also take tamoxifen and plenty of vitamins and I FEEL GREAT!!!
I am in my 4th year CANCER FREE!!!!
WHOO-HOO!!
fear of mammo
I have such a fear of getting a mamo. I am in my third year at 38 that my obgyn has ordered one for me. I just can't bring myself to do it. My mother is a breast cancer survivor and my aunt (mother's sister) died from ovarian cancer. Mom had a mastectomy. So I am at high risk. I am just scared to go....I know it is stupid. I have seen it first hand.
What courage you ladies have!!
Christy
Fear of Mammo
Christy,
Like you, there are thousands of women who fear having a mammogram. The alternative, however, is not knowing and dealing with breast disease. I have an annual mammogram (since age 38). I too have family history. It's not a big deal truly. It's a little uncomfortable for a few seconds, then it's over! If it wasn't for my annual exam, I would have missed my tumor. I am forever thankful that I have the resources (insurance) which covered my screening as well as my surgery. Fear is the "unknown". Once you know what you need to deal with, you just deal with it! It's wonderful to know that there are women out there that are in the public eye and have the opportunity to save lives by providing those who may not otherwise receive treatment. Christina Applegate, you are my HERO! Thank you for being so very brave and telling your Story.
Donna (Agoura Hills, CA)
Kudos to Christina Applegate
Kudos to Christina Applegate on making the best out of a bad situation. Being BRCA1+ and having lousy insurance, my parents paid for a large portion of my surgeries and the entire test cost, eating into their retirement. I struggled over having the surgeries because my parents are disabled and it was a catch 22 situation. People just have no clue how expensive the testing and surgeries are or how much stress this issue puts on families. This is a wonderful service that she will be providing. Also, it would be nice if more than one lab owned the rights to BRCA testing, because it would drive the test down. There's a lot of politics involved in the testing and rights to testing. Her story reminds me a lot of me. I was only in my 20s when I had the mastectomies. Unfortunately, there is more to being BRCA1+--it also causes a huge increase in the risk of ovarian cancer, which currently has no reliable testing whatsoever. Best wishes to any women dealing with breast cancer or who are BRCA+.
God bless you Christina!
God bless you Christina! Way to go! Stay positive...it's one of the ways to beat this! ... and remember, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up!
Let me know if there is anyting I can do. Keeping you in my prayers.
fear of mammograms
Christy--the best advice I ever received is to take 3 Advil an hour before the mammogram. No pain, it's a piece of cake. Do it!
Just do it Christy...
Christy, it is not that bad. Just do it. The consequences of not doing it are not worth it. Just think of it as something that has to be done. We are all with you. God bless and God speed. BTW, the CAPTCHA in this site beats humans too !
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