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Christina Applegate has double mastectomy

Posted by Brett Singer

Christina Applegate has double mastectomyMSNBC is reporting that Christina Applegate had a double mastectomy three weeks ago. She was diagnosed with cancer in one of her breasts earlier this month. She decided to have both breasts removed because, "Her mother battled breast cancer, and she tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation linked to breast and ovarian cancer."

She plans to have reconstructive surgery, "over the next eight months," and seems to be dealing with the whole thing fairly well, all things considered: "I’m going to have cute boobs 'til I'm 90, so there’s that…I'll have the best boobs in the nursing home. I’ll be the envy of all the ladies around the bridge table."

Applegate has had an amazing career, especially if you consider where she started – as bimbo Kelly Bundy on "Married With Children" way back in 1987 on some new network called Fox. Her film appearances include "Anchorman" and "The Sweetest Thing", and she was the main draw for the sitcoms "Jesse" (42 episodes) and "Samantha Who?" (15 episodes and counting, currently nominated for an Emmy). She also appeared on Broadway in "Sweet Charity." Not bad for someone who began as a pure lust object for a whole bunch of boys (myself included). I'm glad to hear she's cancer free (I'm glad to hear anyone is cancer free, frankly), and that she sounds like she's dealing with what must be a very traumatic medical procedure as well as she can.

One side note: "Applegate’s cancer was detected early through a doctor-ordered MRI. She said she’s starting a program to help women at high risk for breast cancer to meet the costs of an MRI, which is not always covered by insurance." I didn't realize MRIs weren't always covered by health insurance; if that's true, that is a very bad thing.

Source/image: MSNBC

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Comments

 

mamaT said:

Yup, most health insurances will not pay for an MRI for breast cancer screening.  Mammograms are much much cheaper.  

August 19, 2008 12:41 PM
 

Mom2Two said:

And many insurance companies won't pay for a mammogram if you're under 40.  Stinkers.

August 19, 2008 1:09 PM
 

BaxterJ said:

Christina is so brave, but also lucky that she has access to the best doctors and tests.

August 19, 2008 1:30 PM
 

Karen said:

A lot of insurance companies won't pay for the BRCA DNA test either.  I got lucky and it was deemed medically necessary.  I had promised my husband that he could test out new racks if I had come back positive with any of the mutations.  Looks like he'll have to stick to window-shopping =)

August 19, 2008 7:47 PM

About Brett Singer

Brett Singer is a writer and father living in Manhattan with his wonderful wife and two terrific sons (referred to here as Thing 1 and Thing 2). He writes about music for the Boston Phoenix, parenting for Babble and daddytips.com, and other topics for anyone else who will have him.

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