Christine Applegate |
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krisa 
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Joined: May 21 2008 Location: Portland, OR Status: Offline Points: 1090 |
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 Topic: Christine ApplegatePosted: Aug 19 2008 at 10:53am |
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An interview and is this one reason why people generally don't have a clue about breast cancer when they read that someone like Christine does not have cancer anymore after her surgery.
I would love it if that was 100% true!
Applegate ‘Definitely Not Going to Die’
NEW YORK (Aug. 19) Christina Applegate is taking the long view of her battle with breast cancer the really long view. Speaking on ABC News’ “Good Morning America” in her first interview since announcing her diagnosis earlier this month, the “Samantha Who?” star said she had a double mastectomy three weeks ago. She’ll undergo reconstructive surgery over the next eight months. The 36yearold actress elected to remove both breasts even though the disease was contained in one breast. She said she is now cancerfree. Applegate called the operation a logical decision. Her mother battled breast cancer, and she tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation linked to breast and ovarian cancer. “I just wanted to kind of be rid of it,” she said. “So this was the choice I made and it was a tough one.” |
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cg---
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Posted: Aug 19 2008 at 1:19pm |
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Please forgive them their naivete...
Many of us were led down the same garden path with the propaganda of early detection, mammograms, breast self-examination....= cure.
What they failed to inform us of is that mammograms are only 44% accurate at picking up breast cancer, and that is only after you had to fight to get one if you were "under-age"; the lumps we discover on self-examination are summarily dismissed as "cysts"....(my same "cyst" in the same location in 1997 - was the "triple negative tumor" just bigger and more life-threatening in 2007).
All of the directives for women and breast cancer have the undertones of women being responsible for their outcomes!!! That has to be one of the biggest pieces of medical misinformation ever put on the television or in a magazine. Women are held hostage by the medical professionals, and the insurance companies. Women are denied testing, treatment, until they convince a doctor and/or an insurance company that they have a problem in their breast!
Just thank Ms. Applegate because she is going to raise money for breast MRIs and gene testing.....
How underserved and underdiagnosed many women are because they do not routinely have access to these tests which could change their diagnosis, and ultimate treatment for them and others in their families.
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Nancy
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Posted: Aug 19 2008 at 4:16pm |
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Let's see,
I just Googled her the other day for GinaMarie, and they said she was going to be just fine. OK I assumed that possibly she was dx with DCIS. GinaMarie said that she had read Christine was not going to have chemo. That was one of the reasons Gina was saying she wasn't going to have chemo. Now she has had a double mastectomy and is BRCA1?
Also, she is cured? Wow! The media does such a great job. Ms. Applegate had the financial means to have every test in the book. Right Connie?? Lori knew her "cyst" was there 2 years before dx. Possibly 10 years, due to the fact that she had "lumpy" breasts, and that lump was there.
They said....don't worry....be happy....it's just a cyst. Ultra sound....it's a cyst! Sure we'll take it out if it is "bothering" you! Cancer doesn't hurt! Cancer isn't "itchy".
I do thank Ms. Applegate if she will raise money for MRI's and gene testing. Perhaps then they will say that a mammogram is worthless.
Nancy
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Terri
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Posted: Aug 19 2008 at 6:13pm |
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I was upset when I read an article about her the other night proclaiming herself to be cancer free. Although of courseI feel for her and what she has gone through , I don`t feel statements like that really help our cause. It just makes it seem like every BC caught early is "curable" and no big deal and minimizes what we go through. My best friend had that dismissive attitude about my dx for that very reason. She wouldn`t take the time to understand the triple neg situation because I was stage 1. Then she bailed out on me because she thought I was doing SO WELL during chemo (I didn`t lose 50 lbs attached to a morphine drip).
Terri
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IDC DX 8/17/07 (age 41)
Stage 1 Grade 1-2, 1.35 cm 2 nodes neg, Lumpectomy 10/07 Chemo: FEC 100 x 6, 35 rads BRCA 1/2 NEG PET/CT & Brain CT Nov 09 Brain MRI Aug 2012 NED |
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krisa
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Posted: Aug 19 2008 at 7:05pm |
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Edited by krisa - Oct 09 2008 at 5:47pm |
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trip2
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 8:44am |
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I think Ms. Applegate needs to educate herself a little more before she begins raising money for gene testing or possibly anything else. Any wrong information put out there by whoever it is does not help one iota.
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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cg---
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 9:29am |
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You know something Pam....there are so many, many intelligent, educated people who think we are "cured". I have a whole family that thinks I am "cured" - just like after the end of a course of antibiotics - the infection is "all gone".
There are many doctors who tell women they "got it early" are "cured". Ms. Applegate's telling the world she took charge with being vigilant, having follow-up, and MRI and "saved her life by her surgery" and not having chemo - diminishes each of us...as if we did not do these things or try to get the best care we could.
What I believe is irresponsible for a high-profile star such as Ms. Applegate who may have fans that think "Gee, a rich star who could have and afford any treatment - she did not have chemo or radiation, so why should I?" We do not know her hormone status, her HER-2/neu status, or her lymph node status. But, a blanket public statement acknowledging she did not have chemo - may seem like an endorsement and a woman who truly should be having chemo may refuse it!
But, having said all that, if she cannot enlighten the world with the reality of breast cancer....then at least turn her high profile public exposure into a positive and raise money for those who cannot have the MRIs and genetic testing because they are cost prohibitive.
Of course, my ex-onc never let me for one moment think I was cured from the "it's a crap shoot picking the chemo" to the "you still have breast cancer even though you were treated", to the "don't feel guilty when it comes back because there is nothing you did wrong".
Yeah, if I did not have you wonderful, supportive women to hold my hand, lift my spirits, and allow me to talk freely about the truths we live each day since being diagnosed....my world would be much scarier.
Cyber hugs,
Connie
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trip2
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 10:33am |
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Well I've said my piece but I did send this over to my daughter and she quickly wrote me back and commented that she thought Ms. Applegate was possibly being interviewed too soon after being diagnosed and having surgery. Ok, I can go with that, it probaby is too soon. Maybe she is in denial, there are many things that factors in to this as we all know but let's don't go on TV w/millions of viewers and state a fact when we know that could start a mess of wrong info as you so wisely pointed out in your post Connie.
I still think she should gather her facts before she reaches out to the public which we could use very much but not with incorrect information, it will flail.
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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Terri
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 10:35am |
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Connie I wonder if her dr`s told her she is cancer free? Or is she in denial? And I think Nancy mentioned maybe she had DCIS. I noticed on GMA she mentioned she only had "cells" not a tumor.
Anyway, I feel better that I`m not the only one who feels her statements are irresponsible and diminishing to our battle. My husband (who agrees with us) had to hear me ranting on my soapbox the other night!
I really do appreciate this site so much too. It`s nice to have your feelings validated by people who know where you`re coming from!
Terri
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IDC DX 8/17/07 (age 41)
Stage 1 Grade 1-2, 1.35 cm 2 nodes neg, Lumpectomy 10/07 Chemo: FEC 100 x 6, 35 rads BRCA 1/2 NEG PET/CT & Brain CT Nov 09 Brain MRI Aug 2012 NED |
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Terri
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 10:44am |
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Pam,
I think your daughter may be partially right.
When I watched the interview on GMA I was looking at Robin Roberts and wondering what must have been going through HER head. She is TN. I was wondering if she was as stunned as I was by Ms. Applegate`s proclamation!!
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IDC DX 8/17/07 (age 41)
Stage 1 Grade 1-2, 1.35 cm 2 nodes neg, Lumpectomy 10/07 Chemo: FEC 100 x 6, 35 rads BRCA 1/2 NEG PET/CT & Brain CT Nov 09 Brain MRI Aug 2012 NED |
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trip2
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 10:46am |
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Go get em Terri!
Connie and Terri also as you both point out an error on our Onc or surgeon's part can play into this when they use the word cured. I too heard it the first time and the second time, hmmm.
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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trip2
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 10:49am |
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Terri,
Heidi did say that Robin Roberts pointed out that indeed there is a chance it could come back but I don't know when that was said, I didn't see the interview.
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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cg---
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 10:52am |
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Cells!!
Obviously, she did not hear the "Once upon a time there a cancer "cell", and it grew and grew and it usually takes 10 years for it to be 1-cm, and sometimes "cells" break off and they go somewhere else in the body and it is called "metastases".
I got the "Breast Cancer for Dummies" speech on my first visit from ex-onc on the first visit and I want to assure everyone that even though we are just a hard-working, blue-collar, middle class family I have not lived in a cave, without being able to read and write for the past 55 years that I have been on earth.
Connie
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Jessie
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 11:11am |
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Oh, save me from the self-proclaimed experts who know just enough to be DANGEROUS !
Jessie
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IDC,Stage I,Grade 3,dx 4/06
dbl mast 5/06, systemic MRSA post surgery septic shock, heart attack triple bypass 1/07 no chemo due to infections and heart issues so far NED! |
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Terri
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 11:29am |
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I just watched it again on the GMA website and didn`t see any discussion between she & Robin and on recurrence. Hmmm
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IDC DX 8/17/07 (age 41)
Stage 1 Grade 1-2, 1.35 cm 2 nodes neg, Lumpectomy 10/07 Chemo: FEC 100 x 6, 35 rads BRCA 1/2 NEG PET/CT & Brain CT Nov 09 Brain MRI Aug 2012 NED |
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trip2
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 1:39pm |
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Well maybe Robin Roberts mentioned it before or after the interview?
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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Terri
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 4:05pm |
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Yes Pam,
Robin said in a voiceover that Christina chose the tx that would give her the best chance to avoid a recurrence but didn`t question her about it. I`m sure Robin was just being gracious.
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IDC DX 8/17/07 (age 41)
Stage 1 Grade 1-2, 1.35 cm 2 nodes neg, Lumpectomy 10/07 Chemo: FEC 100 x 6, 35 rads BRCA 1/2 NEG PET/CT & Brain CT Nov 09 Brain MRI Aug 2012 NED |
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Cheryl51
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 4:21pm |
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I've been out of the country for 3 weeks and just heard this on the radio this morning. The dj's thought Christina A's attitude was "just great" and how "fabulous that she has put this behind her".. bla bla.
I just about crashed my car into the Golden Gate Bridge I was so pissed off.
Cheryl51
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KCinFL
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 4:49pm |
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Gosh, these are all great points. When Ms. Applegate first announced that she had bc and that it was caught early, I felt like we weren't hearing the whole story. Especially since she is young. Maybe she is feeding the press a little bit at a time. First she was going to be okay, because it was caught early. Next, she had the bi-lateral mastectomy because that was her best shot at taking care of the problem. Maybe there will be another announcement that her and her doctor felt it best if she did have the chemo.
On a separate note, my sister Linda is totally bummed that someone as young and beautiful as Ms. Applegate wasn't having chemo and wouldn't be on display with her bald head. She wanted a beautiful, bald spokesperson. I do hope that we hear more on her. The more recently diagnosed women may not make the right choices with the limited information that has been passed on over this one. |
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Inherited BRCA1 mutation 5385INSC from my mom. Sister Linda dx with TNBC 5/23/08. Mom is a 22 year breast cancer survivor.
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cg---
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Posted: Aug 20 2008 at 5:11pm |
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Dear KC,
Your sister need not be disappointed, there are many young and beautiful bald women who are our spokepersons.... who just do not have their own hairstylists and makeup artists.
No matter how beautiful, wealthy, or powerful, women put on their panti-hose one leg at a time like the rest of us. Breast cancer seems to be the great equalizer crossing all classes and ethnicities.
Personally, I will feel sorry for her as the world looks at her "newly created" cleavage as she stands on a red carpet at some movie premiere.
I pray for the women who think they will keep their looks and not undergo chemo treatment because the beautiful Ms. Applegate chose not to.
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