Maura Tierney Photo © Nancy Ostertag/Getty Images

Maura Tierney, the 44-year old actress who is best known for her role as Abby Lockhart on the TV drama "ER," has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She will soon undergo surgery to remove a breast tumor. It appears that the actress discovered a lump during a routine BSE, saying "I have discovered a tumor in my breast which requires surgery." When trying to clarify her health problem, Ms. Tierney stated that, "I will not know either my exact diagnosis or course of treatment until that surgery is performed." Maura Tierney said that her doctors advised her "this is a very treatable condition," and so she's "very optimistic as to the outcome." I hope this hint means that whenever her diagnosis is revealed, it is early-stage breast cancer, which may be treated with surgery, radiation, and hormonal therapy.

Maura Tierney is a supporter of breast health awareness, having given her support to the Komen Foundation in 2005, when she joined her fellow"ER" docs in Ford Motor Co.'s “Tie It On for the Cure” silk scarf campaign. Komen's ads for the scarf, which was designed by Lilly Pulitzer, featured the Women of ER - Maura Tierney, Laura Innes, Sherry Stringfield, Parminder Nagra and Linda Cardellini.

Ms. Tierney was set to star in NBC's new series "Parenthood," due to hit the air in September, but production has been delayed for eight weeks, until more is known about her diagnosis and treatment plans. Ms. Tierney has worked in television, feature films, and Broadway productions. She is a versatile actress, having acted in comedy and drama, and has been nominated and awarded for her film and TV roles. Ms. Tierney would like to be private about her health, but NBC's press release contained wording that apparently caused alarm. The press release said simply that the actress was "undergoing medical evaluation for an undisclosed illness."

After my biopsy came back and I found out I did indeed have breast cancer, my surgeon said I could choose between a mastectomy and a lumpectomy. What - me choose - I'm not a surgeon or an oncologist! But then I thought perhaps having a choice was much better than the bad old days.

My mother-in-law was diagnosed in the days when you went into the operating room, got knocked out, and only after you woke up did you discover whether or not you still had breasts. Yes, the surgeon did a biopsy and made a decision for you, then acted on it, all in one operation! Talk about shock - they didn't even do skin-sparing mastectomies in those days.

So I chose a lumpectomy, after asking my surgeon to show me just how much tissue was going to be removed. I handed him a baggie full of cotton balls, and told him to stick some together until they matched the amount of breast he was going to take out of my (in my opinion) small breast. When he used only two cotton balls, I decided - a lumpectomy it would be! He also talked me into having my sentinel node biopsy in the same trip. What a good move! That's when we found out that my lymph nodes were clear. But we also found out that what we thought was well-contained DCIS turned out to be invasive. A couple of weeks later, I went back for a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and a port implant. So you can have both a lumpectomy and a mastectomy. But I hope you don't have to. Here's 10 Questions to Help You Decide between a Lumpectomy and a Mastectomy.

DJ Sonique Photo © Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Recording artist, DJ and now breast cancer survivor Sonique has endured two surgeries for breast cancer, and opted to take 5 months of chemotherapy to prevent a recurrence. Although she had planned to release her new single ‘World Of Change’ in July, she will instead recover from surgery and then begin chemo. The energetic and very fit star of the Brit Pop scene said, "I’m basically getting used to the fact that I have to take it easy. It’s a big deal, so it’s going to be quite quiet for a while." Sonique is not looking forward to chemo, but since her cancer had spread beyond her breast to her lymph nodes, it's important that she do the right thing, to free herself of cancer. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life,” she added, “but I’m sure people have had harder things to deal with as well.” Already having overcome homelessness and becoming a self-made star, Sonique has a lot of fight in her. I hope that grit and determination will carry her through the months ahead.

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Kathy Adams Photo © Confident Clothing Company

Kathy Adams is a fitness trainer and a breast cancer survivor. When she turned 50, she was diagnosed with Stage III, Grade 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Because the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, she opted for a double mastectomy. That's when she discovered the discomfort of surgical drains. Most of us who have breast surgery wind up dealing with surgical drains - these grenade-shaped bottles that collect excess lymph fluid after surgery. Surgical drains bobble around your side, near your waist, and generally get in the way. Kathy Adams designed a line of clothing with hidden pockets (that you can later remove) which will carry the drains for you. There are several colors of tops to choose from as well as a variety of sizes. I appreciate the fact that nobody will need to pull these on overhead - raising your arms after breast surgery can be painful and sometimes impossible. Kathy designed these while still in treatment, and her sister Susan Baxter helped bring these to market. Their line, Confident Clothing Company, includes tops, pants, capris and caps made of moisture-wicking fabric that keep you cool and stylish, even if a hot flash grabs you at the wrong moment! Kathy Adams is now a 3-year breast cancer survivor and still works as a fitness coach. "I really wanted to help other women go through the journey more easily than I did," said Adams. "That's really important to me." I'm glad she did something about it!

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