Breast Cancer Blog

Christina Applegate Photo © Brad Barket/Getty Images

Christina Applegate, 36, star of TV and producer of "Samantha Who?" appeared on ABC News with Robin Roberts, and talked about her breast cancer diagnosis and her double mastectomy. She spoke freely about her mother, Nancy Lee Priddy battling the same disease, the multiple surgeries and years of chemo that she endured, and her own decision to take a dramatic approach to her own breast cancer. Applegate, speaking just 3 weeks after her double mastectomy, appeared relaxed and healthy. She has opted out of chemo and radiation, preferring to have all of her breast tissue removed, to prevent any more incidents of breast cancer, and get on with her life. She plans to have reconstruction over the next 8 months. A double mastectomy is a pretty drastic solution, for any woman, but it seems like as especially difficult decision for an attractive actress with much of her life before her. After hearing her reveal that she tested positive for the BRCA1 genetic mutation, and give details of her mother's diagnosis and recurrence, I can understand her not wanting to go through a lot of testing and treatment. I wonder which type of reconstruction she plans on - she joked saying, "I will have the perkiest boobs in the rest home!" when she's a senior citizen. That makes my guess implant reconstruction, but stay tuned! All may be revealed in time.

Would you have a double mastectomy if you were Christina Applegate? Leave your comments below or in the Forum.

• Christina Applegate at Celebrity Gossip
• Watch Christina Applegate's GMA Interview

Christine Druther Photo © Her2Support.org

Survivor's Perspective Speaks Volumes, Gives Hope
HER2 positive breast cancers tend to be aggressive and capable of spreading quickly - and 25% of all breast cancers are HER2 positive. This type of cancer can benefit from Herceptin, but patients often need support from survivors who have walked this road. That's where Christine Druther comes in. Druther started a website, her2support.org in 2001, to give support to other women who are dealing with HER2+ breast cancer. She is the voice of experience, having been diagnosed first in 1990, again in 1999, new metastasis in 2000, and has survived many treatments as well as the disease. Christine is a health educator and nutritionist, wants “to get the word out about the importance of breast exams and not waiting for your doctor to tell you when you have a problem, but know yourself,” she says. “It's a disease that can be controlled if caught early on. An informed patient is the best survivor.” Her website offers straight talk, news, information, and message boards for patients and caregivers who are interested in HER2+ breast cancer. I agree with Christine, that being informed is one way to take control of your cancer experience and get the best treatment that's available to you!

• HER2/neu and Diagnosis
• Herceptin for HER2+ Breast Cancer
• Tykerb is a HER2 Suppressor

Olivia Newton-John Photo © Chris Farina/Getty Images

Already a winner in her battle with breast cancer, Olivia Newton-John has finished 'The Great Walk to Beijing 2008' - a 228 kilometer fundraising walk along China's Great Wall. Her team of friends and survivors has raised over $2 million dollars for The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia. The popular singer and actress is a 15-year survivor of breast cancer, and has plans to release a new album "A Celebration in Song" in September 2008. On the album, she teams up with Keith Urban, Barry Gibb, John Farrar, Delta Goodrem, Sun, Jann Arden, Amy Sky, RyanDan and Richard Marx.

Christina Applegate Photo © Scott Wintrow/Getty Images

When Christina Applegate agreed to take part in the telethon "Stand Up to Cancer" she may have not known that the issue would soon become personal. Applegate, 36, just announced that she has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, detected with a breast MRI. She plans to continue working on the set of "Samantha Who?" as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer. In a statement to the media, her representative said that,"The cancer is not life threatening. Christina is following the recommended treatment of her doctors and will have a full recovery." Applegate’s mother Nancy Lee Priddy, a soap star and singer, has also fought breast and cervical cancer. Christina Applegate is well-known for her roles on TV, in movies, on Broadway in "Sweet Charity," and has received both Emmy and Golden Globe awards.

• Christina Applegate in Treatment for Breast Cancer
• All About Christina
• How Breast Cancer is Diagnosed

Adenoid cystic breast cancer may be quite small or it can be large enough to be felt as a breast lump, which sometimes causes swelling and breast pain. Sometimes it occurs along with other types of invasive breast cancer, along the edge of a different type of breast tumor. Usually not aggressive, this type of breast cancer has a good chance of recovery after treatment. Learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast.

Papillary carcinoma is a type of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This type of breast cancer is rarely invasive, and usually stays within the milk ducts of your breast. It has a good chance of recovery after treatment. Papilla (a projection) refers to the microscopic shape of the cancer cells, which resemble fingers, or threads.

Tubular carcinoma is a rare type of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Tubular carcinomas tend to be small, estrogen-receptor positive, HER2/neu negative. Your chance of recovery and survival after treatment for a tubular carcinoma is very good. In some cases, tubular cancer cells are mixed with ductal or lobular cancer cells, giving a mixed-tumor diagnosis.

Phyllodes tumor (cystosarcoma phyllodes) is a very rare type of breast tumor, which can be benign (harmless) or malignant (cancerous). This type of tumor is called a "sarcoma," because it occurs in the connective tissue (stroma) of your breast. Learn more about Phyllodes tumor, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Lidocaine Gel Pretreatment Eases the Squeeze of Breast Pain From Mammograms
Women who delay, or skip having an annual mammogram, may find some relief from the pain of compression, if they apply a 4% Lidocaine gel to their breast and on surrounding chest skin. A study done by Colleen K. Lambertz, a nurse at St Luke's Mountain States Tumor Institute, showed that women who used the Lidocaine gel instead of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or a placebo had less pain from mammogram compression. This allowed the women to feel more in control of their mammogram experience, and more willing to keep up annual mammograms.
Lidocaine gel has many uses, among which are preventing pain from chemotherapy needles, and easing pain from hemorrhoids which can occur as a side effect of chemo.

• Lidocaine Gel Eases Mammogram Pain, Needle Sticks, and Other Pains
• Lidocaine Gel May Ease Mammography Discomfort
• Why Do My Breasts Have to Get Squeezed Twice During a Mammogram?

Herb Wagner Photo by Heidi Wagner

Male Breast Cancer Survivor on a Mission
Herb loves to golf, play poker, and dance. He's been through a lot: knee, hip, heart and shoulder surgery. He's even had some skin cancer. But when he had a nipple retract, one doctor said not to worry - then six months later a different doctor correctly diagnosed male breast cancer. Herb is now on a mission. Wearing a pale pink long-sleeved, button-down dress shirt by Wrangler, Herb is making documentaries, speaking to groups, and helping raise funds to find the cure for breast cancer. Herb Wagner is tough enough to wear pink, which he does proudly.

• Herb Wagner – Male Breast Cancer Survivor
• About Male Breast Cancer
• Male Breast Self-Exam