Christina Opens Up: "I Had A Double Mastectomy!"
Filed under: Christina Applegate
Christine Applegate gave her first interview today on Good Morning America, her first time talking publicly since announcing she had breast cancer earlier this month.
Applegate revealed that although her cancer was contained in one breast, she elected to have a double mastectomy three weeks ago.
She'll therefore have to undergo reconstructive surgery over the next eight months.
Of the decision she says, "I just wanted to kind of be rid of it. So this was the choice I made and it was a tough one."
But for Applegate, she said it was a logical decision as her mother had battled breast cancer before and then suffered from a recurrence years later. Christina also tested positive for the BRCA1 gene, which is linked to breast and ovarian cancer.
She adds, "My decision, after looking at all the treatment plans that were possibilities for me, the only one that seemed the most logical and the one that was going to work for me was to have a bilateral mastectomy. So basically I had a prophylactic double mastectomies."
However, she did describe the experience as an emotional roller coaster.
She said, "Sometimes, you know, I cry and sometimes I scream and I get really angry and I get really like, you know, into wallowing in self-pity sometimes. And I think that's - it's all part of healing, and anyone who's going through it out there, it's OK to cry. It's OK to fall on the ground and just scream if you want to."
Luckily her cancer was detected early enough through a doctor-ordered MRI.
After her experience, Christina is trying to keep her sense of humor.
She says, "I've laughed so much in the last three weeks. I love living, and I really love my life, and I knew that from this moment on it was only going to be good that was going to be coming. Yeah, I'll face challenges, but you can't get any darker than where I've been. So knowing that in my soul gave me the strength to just say, 'I have to get out there and make this a positive.'"
She also added jokingly, "I'm going to have cute boobs ’til I'm 90, so there's that. I'll have the best boobs in the nursing home. I'll be the envy of all the ladies around the bridge table."
And as a result of her experience, Applegate has decided to start a program to financially help women who are at high risk for breast cancer, such as to meet the costs of an MRI which is not always covered by insurance.
Applegate will also appear in a one-hour TV special, Stand Up to Cancer, which will air on September 5th to raise money for cancer research.
[Image via WENN.]
Good luck
how brave she will help so many ladies feel more comfortable with themselves. so many people dont even feel comfortable in pulic after that even if no one know. how truly brave.
Hope she beats the cancer. Why's this filed under Christina Aguilera?
It's really sad she had to make a decision like that, but it sounds like it was the right answer. It's nice to see she has such an optimistis attitude.
Re: Eva – Good catch!
OMG, poor Christina. I admire any woman with the strength to face something like that & come out laughing and still loving life. You gotta respect that.
I heart Kelly Bundy.
I feel bad for her at such a young age, I hope she does well.
I love her…I cant believe she survived after Married with Children…..
1st!
and she's awesome!
Oh Perez–get the science right! EVERYONE has the BRCA1 gene, it's MUTATIONS in the gene that are a pretty much guaranteed cause of breast cancer.
best wishes for a speedy recovery!
she's very brave…my mom had breast cancer and I too have started getting my mammograms early….I don't know what I would do if I was in Christina's situation, but she is a good role model and I commend her for her decision
She's awesome! Looks like Christina is on the way to recovery! Good luck!
i love her. Hope she gets well
Watch over her God!. A beauty and a brave woman. "Bless The Beasts and Children" and women, and men. Hell, everybody…
Kudos to her! She is very brave and it's great that she went public so perhaps it could help others who may have to face the same thing. I always liked her and I wish her nothing but the best.
*
She's an angel to help others and a very good reminder for me to get my overdue MRI.
*
YAY!
OMG….dont tell mom the babysitters dead……LOVE IT!!!
Christina, you made the right decision. We are so much more than the sum of our parts. Stay strong and keep on laughing that's the best medicine.
We are involved in the Beast Cancer 3 Day event in San Diego every year. It's such a wonderful thing to experience. My thoughts are with you!
Perez…where is your apology for accusing her of making this a publicity stunt?
God bless her and anyone suffering from the disease. She really is doing the right thing by being public about it because it could help others. She really is a very good person. I wish her all the very best of luck, happiness and good health.
Everyone , let's punish christie
www.christine-applegate.punished.biz
Re: ruffmama –
Good point.
i'm happy she's ok , she's great
I am so proud of her and happy for her. Radical Double Mastectomies save lives. It's a hard decision in a society that places so much value on looks, but there is good evidence that more extensive surgeries have better outcomes. We spin things so people think they can have a couple of MM removed and all is well, but recurrences are very deadly. I can't say how many patients I've met who thought a small lumpectomy and a week of chemo meant that they were fine for life.
good for her.
Wow! Her honesty and bravery is inspiring. Best wishes, Christina!
Kudos to Christina for helping cover MRIs to those who have crappy insurance or no insurance at all. That would be MOST of us in the United States. Perez I think you could help spread the word that health care in Amercia needs an overhaul.
Re: Gen –
yeah, it's pretty well known that america doesn't have universal health care. over here in canada, the basics are covered for every canadian resident.
I wish her well!
That's absolutely horrible. She's really smart to have made that choice…what a brave thing to do. My best wishes
Re: midi –
Yea but all of your doctors are shitty.
Lets hope she's free of this vile disease for ever.
It's a huge wake up call for anyone, it's a death sentence to some and you can tell from this interview that she's relieved that they've got it in time.
I think she'll appreciate her life heaps from now on. A double mastectomy is a horrible thing to have so young, but if it saves her life, it's a small price.
I wish her all the best.
Re: me too – That's not true.
I have always liked Christina as an actress but now she also has my admiration as a woman who really has it altogether. What an amazing attitude she has. She has given hope to so many other women who are in the same situation. She is truly an inspiration and I wish her all the best the world has to offer her.
my aunt just died of breast cancer last month….she is lucky to have surrvive! my aunt died at 39 after only having it for 4 months….its a horrible disease
When I was 32 years old, I was diagnosed with cervical and ovarian cancer. After you hear that word coming from doctors the first thing that crosses your mind is: "WOW… I'm going to die probably." You feel panicked and dirty with that in you and all you want is that quick spreading shit OUT of your body NOW or ASAP. It's a strange thing to go through.
I guess I can relate to her decision to do this. They do remarkable thinks with reconstructive surgery. I wish her all the best in her healing ways.
Your goal is to make it to the 5 year mark as cancer free, as then your chances of survival go way up.
Peace out, babies.
To go public about such a dreadful ordeal takes real courage. She will be known forever as an icon of grace and bravery for coming forward with humor and hope. That's a far greater legacy to the human race than a single episode of any TV sitcom.
Good luck!
Bless her heart. She's one courageous lady. I wish you the very best, Christina! I've always loved ya and you seem to have a good head on your shoulders. Peace.
I'm 31 and i have breast cancer for five years. It's great that she's speaking aboutr her mastectomy without fear. She's a public person and I'm sure it's hard to talk about it!
She seems very powerfull, i'm sure she's gonna be well soon.
ANN JILLIAN JR.!
They had to cut out both of her tetas. Hahahha! And i never understood why the fuck did all you mothersuckers consider this woman some kind of sex symbol? fuckin perverts watched "married with children" only because of this woman. I always she was both stupid and ugly. Now she has no tetas.
That is one brave woman! Best of luck! That took guts! Women get those
checkups!
Good for her, I love her!
Does this makes you feel bad for saying that her appearence was only a publicity stunt????
You are an a hole!
Re: ruffmama –
He will never apologize for it… he is a lame ass idiot!!!! He still owes an apology to Bernie Mac… he is not man enough to recognize his mistakes!
Christina, best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.
I have to say, she may have played one of the skaniest characters on t.v., but she has proved to be incredibly brave, and a true rolemodel for todays women. God Bless her and her family-
Wow - Very brave… Wishing you lots of luck and good health Christina!
(Go up a size with the implants please!)
How brave of her. Best of luck!!!!!!!
Canada doesn't give MRI's for beast exams and neither will osama care. She's lucy she got sick in America.