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TwitterChristina Applegate talks about double mastectomy
Christina Applegate, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, had a double mastectomy three weeks ago.
Speaking on today's ABC's "Good Morning America," the Emmy-nominated "Samantha Who" star said she will undergo reconstructive surgery over the next eight months.
"I'm going to have cute boobs 'til I'm 90, so there's that," she joked on the show. "I'll have the best boobs in the nursing home. I'll be the envy of all the ladies around the bridge table."
Even though the cancer was in only one breast, she decided to have both removed after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene that is linked to breast and ovarian cancer.
Her mother had also battled the disease twice. "I watched [my mother] have a mastectomy, and then I watched her go through two years of chemotherapy and eight surgeries and a hysterectomy. I've watched this woman survive ... so for me there was always that sense I was going to be OK, no matter what."
She told GMA that the decision was still tough. "Sometimes, you know, I cry and sometimes I scream and I get really angry and I get really like, you know, into wallowing in self-pity sometimes. And I think that's -- it's all part of healing, and anyone who's going through it out there, it's OK to cry. It's OK to fall on the ground and just scream if you want to."
But she also sounded positive and upbeat.
"I've laughed so much in the last three weeks," she said. "I love living, and I really love my life, and I knew that from this moment on it was only going to be good that was going to be coming. Yeah, I'll face challenges, but you can't get any darker than where I've been. So knowing that in my soul gave me the strength to just say, 'I have to get out there and make this a positive.'"
Applegate will next appear on a one-hour TV special, "Stand Up to Cancer," to be aired on ABC, CBS and NBC on Sept. 5 to raise funds for cancer research. She also co-stars with Rainn Wilson in "The Rocker," opening this weekend.
This has been a tough year for Christina. Her former boyfriend died of a drug overdose in July.
Good for you, Christina for making the tough decision about your recovery and for speaking out to help others.
Photos: WireImage
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I love her attitude and want to see her beautiful smile for a very long time.
The human body just wasn't designed to last as long as we are living. Breasts are clearly very fragile as they are only needed during child rearing.
My own advice is that we develop procedures so that women as early as 30 can have them preventatively removed with some type of artificial "fill" replacing the vulnerable tissues.
Wow, i'm so impressed with her. I had no idea she'd gotten a mastectomy already. I wish the best for her and continued success--she really deserves it.
Christine,
You are the best. One of the few.. Yes, I am a Marine and I enjoy your work immensely. Your a real role model for people facing a major health issue. God Bless. Keep up the good work. I wish you a speedy recovery. Hurry up and get back to making us laugh !!!!
I wish her the best. She always seems so positive.
What a sweetheart with an amazing attitude! People like this constantly blow me away when they are able to persevere and show their vulnerability about such scary personal problems in their life. Wish you continued success, long life and great happiness!
My wife has the same genetic predisposition and has went through two battles with cancer. She survived, you will too and thanks for providing positive motivation.
What a grand girl. I always thought the world of her, but now do even moreso. esp In light of other 'star celebs' who are vain & insecure, Christina obviously values life more. Christina is a beacon of light, humor & bravery for all others who have experienced cancer or will in the future.
She may not have breasts, but she sure has balls. Gutsy move! Hope she can now get back to acting.
My heart goes out to such a brave lady. In a shallow world of riches, excessive wealth and all the trappings of the rich and famous, that we get foisted in front of us every day, here is a strong determined woman not afraid to tell us how it is! I wish Christina all the strength she needs to get through this. Her positive attitude will hopefully take her all the way to good health and a long and happy life.