Christina Applegate Talks Breast Cancer With Oprah
October 1, 2008
Breast cancer survivor Christina Applegate opened up to Oprah about the emotional turmoil she suffered when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and on her decisio to have both breasts removed.
She said she had an emotional, private nude photoshoot taken at home before her recent mastectomy, so she’d always have a photo to remember the breasts she was losing.
The Samantha Who? star was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and opted to have her breasts removed in an effort to stop the spread of the disease. She staged a private ceremony on the evening of her surgery, so she’d always have a photograph.
Speaking candidly on a recent taping for Oprah Winfrey’s talk show, Applegate revealed,
“I did my first and last nudie photoshoot at home. I made sure that I have close-up photographs of them from every angle, so I can kind of remember them.”
Since the operation to remove her breasts, doctors have implanted “expanders” in the actress’ chest, which will eventually allow them to sculpt fake breasts for her. She explained:
“They keep expanding over a few months until they take those out and put in your implants… They have this strange little thing that they insert in there and they keep filling it up with saline to expand behind the muscles.”
But she admitted to Oprah that the surgery has left her with a chest that resembles nothing like the one she had before her cancer diagnosis. Adding:
”You’ve got scarring and there’s a lot of things you’re missing…and the shape is not the same and it doesn’t feel the same and it’s hard to carry your purse and there are so many limitations. It’s sad. I cry at least once a day about it because it’s hard to overlook it when you’re standing there in the mirror.”
But, despite the pain and heartache, Applegate joked there is a bright side to her surgery:
“I don’t have to wear a bra… ever again.”
Christina’s mother had breast cancer twice, so she kinda knew she was at risk for the disease telling Oprah she:
”sort of knew that the other shoe was gonna drop.”
Because of her mother’s history, Christina felt she had to have a double mastectomy to be safe. She wasn’t upset when she first made the choice to have both breasts removed. The tears came later:
” I was just gonna let them go… and then, when I met with my doctor and I told him that was my decision and he brought the surgeon in, it was like the floodgates just opened up and I lost it.”
Watch video from the show HERE.
photo: WENN
October 1st, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Wow, what a great idea to get the pictures before they’re taken out. I wish her luck.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Christina-I give you soooo much credit for what you had to do. You are such a Great Lady and I have always watched you in the movies and TV!!! You know, I still will!!!! I have beaten that terrible disease and I know you will also. Please, keep your chin up and pray for future. A Great attitude. I have and I really feel I can beat anything now. God bless you and I honestly wish you the best.
Gregg Cooper
PS–You have always been one of my FAVORITES!!!!
May 8th, 2009 at 9:56 am
I was just diagnosed with breast cancer in my left breast. The surgeon and I discussed my options and I decided to have the mastectomy on the left breast. Because of all of the anxiety and waiting for the results of the mammogram, the sonogram, the biopsy and the MRI. (this has taken several weeks), I have decided to have both breasts removed. Thank you Christina for your story, it has made my decision feel more concrete and I know with my strength and courage, I will be a survivor.
September 14th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Christina, I feel so blessed for the internet. Hearing your story and being the same age as me has really given me some comfort.
I have watched you for many years on television and now when I see you in the magazines or on television I have something common with you.
I’m 37years old and mom of three amazing children. On August 25th I had a bilateral mastectomy and they moved my latisimus muscle from my back to rebuild my breasts. It has only been three weeks since the surgery. The expanders feel like bricks. I’m still in a lot of pain and have many more months ahead of me. I’ve been reading your story and am fascinated. I too want to spread the word to have mammograms before 40 years of age. To have a baseline. I’m very healthy, excercise frequently and do not have any family history of breast cancer in my family. So being diagnosed with breast cancer came out of left field for me and my family.
I just wanted to thank you for being so open about your experience. I believe God tests our character with challenges in our lives. My life will be more colorful because of the journey that has been given to me. I’m sure you have helped millions of women through their cancer. I wish to be a women of courgage like you.
Sincerely,
Chalise Sarazen
Dacula, GA