Christina Applegate Says She's Breast Cancer Free With Double Mastectomy

I love her and I really love her show - consdiering I haven’t watched a sitcom since Seinfeld…

Christina: wishing you the best as you recuperate! You’ve got a lot of grit, always have. Take care, Hines

This article makes a very important point that is too often missed. Double mastectomy reduces the risk of breast cancer by 90%, but does not eliminate it. All of the breast tissue can not be removed when a mastectomy is done, and breast cancer can develop in what remains.
In Christina Applegate’s situation, this may have been the wisest course of action. She developed breast cancer young, has a family history, and has the gene that increases risk. But I hope women who don’t have as great a risk would be inspired by her action to have both breasts removed because they think it will prevent breast cancer.
There are other ways to reduce risk. Regular exercise, for example, reduces risk by around 30% — and combining that with a healthy diet reduced the rate of recurrence by 50% in one study. Tamoxifen reduces risk by 50%, and no one knows how much a woman might be able to reduce her risk if she combined that with lifestyle changes that are known to lower breast cancer risk (www.ReduceBreastCancerRisk.com).

Yesterday I had an “ugly U.S. medical care” moment.

IHad an appointment for a test (mammogram) since back in Dec 2007 there were 3 cysts to be “watched”.

We changed medical carriers on June 1, so I cancelled my June 6th appointment since we had not received our new card.
July I got shingles and they ran along the diaphragm and breast. (Desired healing before squishing.)
At local medical offices during August and asked for a new appointment. Answer-oh we don’t have that equipment anymore.(OK- cost saving by clustering of equipment sounds reasonable.) Next open appoint.Sept. 15. My card was used to make appointment. I am now at 9 months instead of 6 month re-check.
Sept 15- arrives. Drive the twenty miles to the clinic. Wait 28 minutes to be called to desk. Lady takes my card and says -we don’t accept this carrier here.
This was the same card used when I made appointment. Now spent $7 for gas to go to center and back. Waited almost half hour.
I ask, what center would accept my card? After all , this is the only Women’s Health Center specializing in mammograms and ultrasounds in the county. That is their specialty. She said, “no idea.” I left.
Aggravated because- Why was I given an appointment using that carrier when it would not be accepted?

At Stroudsburg Women’s Health Imaging Clinic: If she knew my carrier would not accept the bill, then why would she not also be versed in whether I go an hour south or 40 miles north? Are they not the experts on this?

Sure, I will get on the phone and find out where I am to go. In another month or two, I will have gotten another appointment so I can learn what this new lump I have been feeling since April actually is. Hopefully nothing.

I want the CARE back in MEDICAL CARE

Dorothy: You should not wait! The treatment you have been getting (or rather NOT getting) from your local “health care” facilities is absolutely unfair. No wonder you are angry. Since I don’t know where you live, I can’t understand why there are no other options available to you. Surely, your local hospitals do Mammograms?
I have survived Breast Cancer twice in my life. Both times, mine was found early (and EARLY is important!) and I have since had a very successful breast reconstruction. Do not be afraid to find out what your lump is! CALL the American Cancer Society phone number at 1-800-ACS-2345. Tell them your problem! I am sure that they will help you. They answer all questions. Do it now, if you haven’t already done so. Good luck!