That’s how Oprah opened today’s show. Powerful.

Right off the bat she introduced Christina Applegate.

Christina is five weeks into her recovery, and spoke candidly about the grieving process she went through, is going through, after the loss of her breasts.

She also describes the expanders she now has and the process she has gone through since she heard the words, ‘It came back positive.’

Christina, having been at high risk because her mother had breast cancer (twice actually), has been getting mammograms since she was 30. But she also has dense breasts … and recently went for an MRI. The MRI showed an abnormality so she went for a biopsy. That biopsy brought her a diagnosis … early stage breast cancer (she was vague about what stage … not the earliest but still quite early she said).

So, within a week, she had her first lumpectomy; the margins weren’t clear enough and her plan was to have a second lumpectomy. But then tested positive for a BRCA gene. Her decision, at that point, was to get a double mastectomy.

Her oncologist then joined the show to discuss the BRCA genes and the limitations of genetic testing; she also discussed breast density, MRIs, mammograms, breast self exams … they covered a lot, man, this is an episode to keep and re-run over and over again.

Did you know that Christina has her own foundation now? Check out Right Action for Women. This woman makes me proud!

If you missed it, here’s video from the show. Also, you should check out this video clip as well, footage from after the show

I also want to mention that Oprah introduced Nancy Brinker … founder of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization who has given over $1 billion to breast cancer research.

There was more … what a packed episode. Another survivor appeared on the show speaking about her intuitive feel that she had cancer, about the facade of hair, make-up and clothes, the support you need to give women dealing with cancer. Women also joined the conversation via Skype, sharing stories, advice and asking questions — a six year survivor was on the show who they followed six years ago through her treatment one day. Seriously jam packed guys, this show rocked.

Well done Oprah … well done.

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Oprah Winfrey’s Pink Ribbon Episode: Pink is Powerful

Tune in to The Oprah Winfrey Show on Tuesday, September 30th to see Christina Applegate talk with Oprah about her breast cancer diagnosis and her decision to get a double mastectomy.

Here’s a link to Oprah on YouTube — the promo for this show alone has moved me to tears (towards the end when she says ‘Stand up, survivors!’ … that’s when I lose it).

I’m telling you, I can’t wait to watch this one. Can’t. Wait.

I might have to blog live during the show if my kids will let me. Would anyone join me if I did? My arm can be twisted …

(Image: TVgasm — many thanks Nadine!)

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Don’t Miss Oprah and Christina Next Tuesday, September 30th

Did you see her on Good Morning America this morning? Robin Roberts interviewed her, which is poignant as well. But wow, Christina applegate. She’s amazingly strong, amazingly together (so unlike Kelly Bundy, the character she played that I’m most familiar with), amazingly inspirational. I love her.

If you missed my post on her diagnosis, here it is.

She made a seriously brave decision in my opinion, for a young celebrity. After her recent breast cancer diagnosis she learned she was BRCA1 positive; not a big surprise since her mother is a survivor as well. And though she had good margins after two lumpectomies she decided upon a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy; she wanted to be rid of her vulnerable breast tissue and increase her chances of staying cancer free. And she appeared on air to tell the world she chose a double mastectomy.

I’m just so amazed at her poise and candor. I’m wowed. Truly wowed.

If you missed the interview, here’s the link to the ABC site featuring the video feed — totally worth watching. I was mesmerized.

Not that we’re here to judge … but what do you think of her choice? Are you as surprised as me to learn that she put aside her vanity and made a smart, proactive choice? Do you think she went overboard for someone with an early diagnosis? Do you think she’ll be getting some serious implants in her reconstructive effort, soon to come? What do you think?

(Image: Newscom)

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Christina Applegate is my new hero

Christina was considered ‘at high risk’ for the disease because her mother had breast cancer — and MRI screening is recommended for those at high risk of the disease. Clearly, she was taking the possibility that she was predisposed to the disease seriously. That makes me so proud of her! I’m not sure if she or her mother ever had genetic testing to confirm that predisposition, but no matter — her mother had the disease and that meant she was at a greater risk than someone without a family history.

Here’s a quote from an online Q&A specifically asking if MRI is better than mammography for detecting breast cancer. I wanted to share this with you specifically to help you understand the current recommendation:

Right now the American Cancer Society (ACS) and most breast imaging researchers feel that the “responsible use of MRIs for the evaluation of the breast should be focused on patients with a high probability of breast cancer.” This is felt to include women who have a 20 percent or higher lifetime risk of breast cancer. Women in this high-risk category include those with a strong family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer or those who are likely or known carriers of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation (a breast and ovarian cancer gene mutation). Annual breast screening by means of an MRI is also recommended for women who have undergone radiotherapy to the chest for Hodgkin’s disease.

There is a risk of false positives with an MRI, so they aren’t recommended for everyone — but again, if you are high risk, better to be ’safe than sorry’.

Here’s a You Tube video of a recent news clip that will recap this point visually for you all:

I want to reiterate and clarify and highlight this point: The American Cancer Society recommends MRIs, in addition to mammograms, starting at age 35, for women who are at high risk of the disease (that is, if your mother, sister or daughter had the disease).

Technorati Tags:
cancer, breast cancer, breast cancer blog

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MRI vs. Mammography for High Risk Women

Christina Applegate. She’s been nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her latest role on “Samantha Who?” and starred in numerous films and TV sitcoms over the years since she was a child.

Of course, like me, you might remember her for her role as the hysterically bratty, ditzy, beautiful albeit slutty, Kelly Bundy on “Married … With Children.” Classic.

Christina’s breast cancer was caught early and she’s expected to make a full and speedy recovery.

I just said aloud, ‘Gosh, she’s just so young’ and my husband replied, ‘Yeah, she’s the age you were when you were dealing with breast cancer the first time.’ He’s right; I was diagnosed two months before my 36th birthday. My heart is going out to Christina because I can relate to her even though we’re worlds apart in terms of lifestyle.

This is not just idle gossip: Christina’s publicist confirmed her diagnosis on Saturday.

The Emmy winner’s cancer was detected through an MRI ordered by a doctor and is not life-threatening, publicist Ame Van Iden said in a statement Saturday.

One of the stories I read explained that her mother is a survivor. Looks like a gene runs in that beautiful family tree.

So let’s pray for Christina to have peace of mind, because cancer is cancer, no matter how early it is caught and we all know what she is going through. Let’s pray that her surgeons and other medical care providers have wisdom and precision. And let’s pray that her diagnosis serves a greater good … and more women are diagnosed early as a result while we wait for the cure.

(Image: Newscom)

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Christina Applegate Joins Ranks as a Survivor at 36 Years Old