We all know breast cancer does not discriminate, right? Rich, poor, black, white, A cups, DD cups...even the boobless! Yes, males are at risk too. Below are some surprisingly familiar faces that have survived breast cancer. Now that is something tabloid magazines can write about!
Christina Applegate
In 2008, Emmy-winning actress Christina Applegate went public about having breast cancer and undergoing a double mastectomy. The star of the sitcom "Married with Children" and “Samantha Who?” was one of the participants in the September 2008 all-star telethon “Stand Up to Cancer.”
Sheryl Crow
Singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in late February 2006, soon after her breakup with cancer survivor and cyclist Lance Armstrong.
Cynitha Nixon
Emmy-winning actress Cynthia Nixon, best-known for her role in “Sex and the City,” quietly battled breast cancer in 2006 by undergoing a lumpectomy and radiation treatment, and she went public about her recovery two years later. Nixon is now an ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization dedicated to fighting breast cancer.
Nancy Reagan
Nancy Reagan got her diagnosis in 1987 after a routine mammogram. A California care facility, the Nancy Reagan Breast Center, is named after her.
Kylie Minogue
Pop star Kylie Minogue (diagnosed in May 2005) has been recording her experiences in a diary and plans to publish them in a book.
Carly Simon
Carly Simon had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in 1997, as part of her battle against breast cancer. The Grammy-winning singer had a malignant tumor removed from her left breast, and she underwent chemotherapy.
Edie Falco
"The Sopranos" star Edie Falco was diagnosed in 2003; she battled quietly, announcing her diagnosis only after receiving treatment.
Melissa Etheridge
Diagnosed in 2004, Melissa Etheridge made a statement when she rocked out bald (after chemo) to Janis Joplin at the 2005 Grammy Awards.
Kate Jackson
2 time survivor Kate Jackson battled cancer in 1987 and in 1989. She is recognized as one of the most famous of the "angels" in "Charlie's Angels".
Olivia Newton John
Famous singer and actress was diagnosed 1992, underwent a mastectomy and breast reconstruction.
Richard Rountree
Shaft star is proof that breast cancer affects men, too. Rountree was diagnosed in 1993, had a radical mastectomy and rounds of chemotherapy.
Jaclyn Smith
Charlie's Angels star, Smith discovered a lump in 2002. Treatment included a lumpectomy and radiation.
Suzanne Somers
Actress and author Suzanne Somers was the source of much controversy when she decided to forgo standard treatment and opted alternative therapy and holistic medicine instead.
Rue McClanahan
Star of the hit sitcom "Golden Girls, Rue McClanahan became a survivor in 1997, after finding a pea sized lump in her breast.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Latest Update
Hi all...
Let me first apologize for my lack of posts...I promise to be more diligent about posting updates as we move forward. Now on to the update...
The doctors have diagnosed Mom with low grade infiltrating ductal carcinoma (right breast only). This translates to a low grade form of cancer located within the ducts of the breast and has the ability to spread. This is the most common kind of breast cancer (70%). Now, like me and most of you, your first question will probably be "What stage is the cancer?" but oddly enough, most breast cancers cannot be completely staged until after surgery. There are many variables to "staging" a cancer and doctors won't know exactly what they dealing with until they "get in there." Which brings me to my next bit of news. Mom has chosen Dr. Michael D. Grant (http://www.mdgrant.com/) as her surgical oncologist. Dr. Grant was recommended to me by a friend as one of the Best Surgeons in Dallas and after the first visit with him, I think our minds were made up. After an initial examination with Mom, he asked that my Dad and I join her in the conference room. He came in, introduced himself and explained Mom's condition and all of her options. Of course we had many questions and he answered them without hesitation; all while easing the anxiety with some laughter. He was a perfect fit. So the next week, he had complied a Dream Team of his associates for Mom and had set appointments for her to visit each of them. Mom has since met every doctor, radialogist, surgeon, etc. that will play a part in each stage of her recovery. Mom has opted for a double lumpectomy (removing the cancerous lump on the right and the atypical lump on the left) and the doctors are anticipating the she will only need radiation as treatment...which means she may not need chemo. For those that don't know, radiation is a stream of high energy waves directed very accurately at a specific part of the body. Mom's regimen would consist of one radiation treatment a day, five day a week for six consecutive weeks. This will damage the DNA of the cancer cells and prevent them from dividing and reproducing...as a result, the cancer can't grow. So, with thoughts of new beginnings, Mom's surgery has been scheduled for January 2, 2009. New Year, New PINK Attitude! :) So everyone keep Mom in your thoughts and prayers and I will continue to post updates as they come. Thanks!!
Ending on an extremely personal note, I would like to say that I have never been so proud to be my Mom's daughter. Through this whole process, she has consistently kept her bubbly personality and incredible sense of humor (never missing a chance to throw in joke or smart comment...y'all know what I'm talking about.) :) My Dad and I have had the priviledge to accompany her to most of her doctor visits and she always meets us in the waiting room with a smile on her face and through her schoolgirl giggling tries to tell us "how much fun they had" and how each visit is "just a piece of cake." At one point she sounded so excited about returning to radiation, I would have sworn she was talking about going to Six Flags. Haha...it is just incredible. SHE is just incredible. She is a picture of bravery and continues to be a source of light and laughter to me and her family and friends. I feel incredibly lucky to call her my Mom.
Tracee
Let me first apologize for my lack of posts...I promise to be more diligent about posting updates as we move forward. Now on to the update...
The doctors have diagnosed Mom with low grade infiltrating ductal carcinoma (right breast only). This translates to a low grade form of cancer located within the ducts of the breast and has the ability to spread. This is the most common kind of breast cancer (70%). Now, like me and most of you, your first question will probably be "What stage is the cancer?" but oddly enough, most breast cancers cannot be completely staged until after surgery. There are many variables to "staging" a cancer and doctors won't know exactly what they dealing with until they "get in there." Which brings me to my next bit of news. Mom has chosen Dr. Michael D. Grant (http://www.mdgrant.com/) as her surgical oncologist. Dr. Grant was recommended to me by a friend as one of the Best Surgeons in Dallas and after the first visit with him, I think our minds were made up. After an initial examination with Mom, he asked that my Dad and I join her in the conference room. He came in, introduced himself and explained Mom's condition and all of her options. Of course we had many questions and he answered them without hesitation; all while easing the anxiety with some laughter. He was a perfect fit. So the next week, he had complied a Dream Team of his associates for Mom and had set appointments for her to visit each of them. Mom has since met every doctor, radialogist, surgeon, etc. that will play a part in each stage of her recovery. Mom has opted for a double lumpectomy (removing the cancerous lump on the right and the atypical lump on the left) and the doctors are anticipating the she will only need radiation as treatment...which means she may not need chemo. For those that don't know, radiation is a stream of high energy waves directed very accurately at a specific part of the body. Mom's regimen would consist of one radiation treatment a day, five day a week for six consecutive weeks. This will damage the DNA of the cancer cells and prevent them from dividing and reproducing...as a result, the cancer can't grow. So, with thoughts of new beginnings, Mom's surgery has been scheduled for January 2, 2009. New Year, New PINK Attitude! :) So everyone keep Mom in your thoughts and prayers and I will continue to post updates as they come. Thanks!!
Ending on an extremely personal note, I would like to say that I have never been so proud to be my Mom's daughter. Through this whole process, she has consistently kept her bubbly personality and incredible sense of humor (never missing a chance to throw in joke or smart comment...y'all know what I'm talking about.) :) My Dad and I have had the priviledge to accompany her to most of her doctor visits and she always meets us in the waiting room with a smile on her face and through her schoolgirl giggling tries to tell us "how much fun they had" and how each visit is "just a piece of cake." At one point she sounded so excited about returning to radiation, I would have sworn she was talking about going to Six Flags. Haha...it is just incredible. SHE is just incredible. She is a picture of bravery and continues to be a source of light and laughter to me and her family and friends. I feel incredibly lucky to call her my Mom.
Tracee
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