Actress,Christina Applegate , star of Smantha Who?, recently appeared on Oprah to talk about her double mastectomy. Although it was clearly still a very emotional issue for her, she bravely and openly spoke about her ordeal. She wanted to others about the journey that led to her decision to have both of her breasts removed as she felt it was imperative that other women be given the opportunity to obtain the information necessary to possibly save their lives. Christina's oncologist, Dr. Philomena McAndrew, was also on the show sharing vital information and answering questions. If you missed the show, please visit Oprah's website to view the video footage and read the information packed articles.
Other cancer survivors were on hand to tell their stories. One of those is the sister of Susan G. Komen, Nancy Brinker who started the foundation after her sister lost her battle with breast cancer.
People previously diagnosed with breast cancer are at greatest risk of having breast cancer. If a first-degree relative (mother,sister, daughter) has had breast cancer, you also have a higher risk. Being overweight or drinking alcohol also puts you at risk for developing breast cancer. Tripple negative breast cancer is of great concern to African-American women as it strikes twice as many black women and is resistant to certain treatments. Males can also have breast cancer. Please visit the Spotlight on Health section of Oprah.com for more detailed information provided by the experts at WebMD
Self-breast exams are still an important tool in the early detection of breast cancer. Women should begin having mammograms at age 40, unless they are identified as being at-risk because of family history. In addition, women who have dense breast tissue should ask to have an ultra sound and/or MRI to make certain no abnormalities are missed.
There is hope on the horizon thanks to the efforts of doctors like Susan Love who founded the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and teamed up with the Avon Foundation to start the Army of Women who are healthy volunteers involved in the research process. A vaccine, NeuVax, is also being tested for the prevention of of the recurrence of the disease.
Related Links and Articles:
Right Action for Women - Christina Applegate Foundation
Christina Applegate Online (fan site)
BreastCancer.org
Click to Give @ The Breast Cancer site
National Cancer Institute
Medline Plus: Breast Cancer (U.S. Nationla Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health
Christina Applegate's Double Mastectomy: FAQ @ WebMD
Which pink products really help fight breast cancer?
Guide To Buying Pink
You’re Sick. Now What? Knowledge Is Power.
3 comments:
Great post! I definitely think raising awareness is the key whether to get people to do mammograms or self breast exams.
My office actually made a cool video to try and reach a slightly younger audience about the importance of self examination. We took the approach of that you can have fun with it and make it partner event. http://www.howcast.com/videos/8195-How-To-Do-a-Breast-Exam-on-Your-Girlfriend (slghtly NSFW because it shows you how to give an exam)
Thanks for posting on such an important topic.
Thanks, Tessa! This post is my effort to encourage women. We have to realize that it is our right to have better health care and we have to vigorously exercise our rights! In some cases, that will mean challenging our doctors to do a more thorough examination or perhaps a completely different type of exam or procedure. We have to stand up for ourselves.
Super post! Keep spreading the word. I just taught my daughter how to examine her breast and spoke about breast cancer.
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