October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and funds to battle the disease.
Unfortunately, the disease is “the most common cancer” for American women, aside from skin cancers. Cancer.org estimates that this year alone, more than 250,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed — and almost 41,000 will pass away from the disease.
10 PHOTOS10 celebrities get real about breast cancerSee Gallery10 celebrities get real about breast cancer
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
The 56-year-old was most recently diagnosed with breast cancer soon after the 2017 Emmy Awards. She confirmed the diagnosis on Instagram, quickly calling attention to the plight of other women who don’t have health care.
"1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today, I’m the one. The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union. The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let’s fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality," she wrote in the post.
Angelina Jolie
In 2013, at age 37, the actress wrote a New York Times piece about her experiences with breast cancer and the BRCA1 gene. She had an 87% risk of breast cancer, 50% risk of ovarian cancer, so she took preventative action, including a double mastectomy and the later removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes.
"Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy. I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex," she wrote.
Continuing in the New York Times, But I am writing about it now because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience. Cancer is still a word that strikes fear into people’s hearts, producing a deep sense of powerlessness. But today it is possible to find out through a blood test whether you are highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, and then take action.
Cynthia Nixon
At 40, the acclaimed actress was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram in 2006. She decided to keep it private for a year after her diagnosis.
At age 12, Nixon watched her mother battle breast cancer and knew the importance of preventative care.
"I’ve learned that if you catch breast cancer early, the chances are overwhelmingly good that you’ll be cured. So my attitude, which very much mirrored my mother’s, was this wasn’t a big deal," the star said, according to Marie Claire.
Giuliana Rancic
In 2011, after the diagnosis of an early-stage tumor, the host underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
She said to Glamour: "….My doctor said, "We have great news in one breast and bad news in the other. You need to start thinking about a mastectomy." That had been the furthest thing from my mind. I knew nothing about breast cancer before this happened to me, and I thought mastectomy meant stage three or four cancer. I didn’t have a big family history of it. I just never thought it would happen to me. I really didn’t."
Shannen Doherty
The former "Beverly Hills, 90210" star was diagnosed in 2015 and regularly documented her battle on social media. After going through chemotherapy, she announced she’s in remission in April 2017.
"Moments. They happen. Today was and is a moment. What does remission mean? I heard that word and have no idea how to react. Good news? YES. Overwhelming. YES. Now more waiting. As every single one of my fellow cancer family knows, the next five years is crucial. Reoccurrences happen all the time," she shared on social media.
Sheryl Crow
In 2006, the singer publicly announced she was battling the disease after she underwent "minimally invasive surgery."
"I am inspired by the brave women who have faced this battle before me and grateful for the support of family and friends," she said according to ABC News.
Olivia Newton-John
In 2017, the 68-year-old singer and actress revealed she was once again battling breast cancer. After her first diagnosis in 1992, she underwent a partial mastectomy as well as chemo.
"I am really grateful for and touched by the worldwide outpouring of love and concern. Thank you. I am feeling good and enjoying total support from my family and friends, along with a team of wellness and medical practitioners both here in the US and at my Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia. I’m totally confident that my new journey will have a positive success story to inspire others!” she said exclusively to People in June.
Melissa Etheridge
Because of the singer’s family history, Etheridge was "vigilant" about examinations before eventually being diagnosed in 2004.
"I am the healthiest I have ever been in my life. It excites me every day when I can wake up and feel energy and feel good and feel purpose. The changes I made were big and not easy. Sugar is a drug, incredibly addictive. That one change can make a huge difference in your life," she said to ABC News in 2015.
Christina Applegate
At 36 years old, the actress was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. After biopsies and a lumpectomy, as well as radiation, she tested positive for the BRCA gene.
Later, she underwent a double mastectomy. "It came on really fast. It was one of those things that I woke up and it felt so right," she says. "It just seemed like, ‘I don’t want to have to deal with this again. I don’t want to keep putting that stuff in my body. I just want to be done with this.’ & I was just going to let them go," she said according to CNN.
Rita Wilson
In 2015, it became known that the actress was battling breast cancer and underwent both a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
Since then, she’s been outspoken about encouraging others to be vigilant about routine checks.
"Last week, with my husband by my side, and with the love and support of family and friends, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer after a diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma. I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery. Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion," she said according to People.
See Gallery
Given the prevalence of the disease, doctors encourage patients to be knowledgeable about the symptoms and alert when looking out for the signs. Catching the cancer early can mean all the difference between life or death for many patients — some of whom have included Hollywood’s most famous faces.
RELATED: Products that give back to breast cancer awareness
Stars like Angelina Jolie, Melissa Etheridge and Cynthia Nixon understood and acted on their family history — they were “vigilant” in regularly seeing doctors and understanding the signs to look out for. While stars like Giuliana Rancic and Christina Applegate underwent mastectomies despite a lack of family histories, others such as Olivia Newton-John were diagnosed twice.
Through their stories, they are encouraging women to take action early and are advocating for increased research on the condition. These brave women are letting others battling the disease know they are not alone. Scroll through above to read their stories.
For more on the symptoms of breast cancer, click here.
17 PHOTOSProducts that give back for breast cancer researchSee GalleryProducts that give back for breast cancer research
Gorjana Power Gemstone Bracelet for Compassion, $38
Gorjana will be donating 50 percent of proceeds from the Power Gemstone Bracelet to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Lilly Pulitzer Pinking Positive Tote,
As a direct contribution in support of this Print with Purpose collection, the BCRF will receive a $22,000 donation from Lilly Pulitzer.
Rothy’s Petal Pink Solid, $145
Rothy’s is again offering the opportunity to gift a pair of custom pink flats to women impacted by breast cancer this October, and complementing the program with a 2019 donation of $50,000 to BCRF to support lifesaving research.
AERIN Rose Lip Conditioner & Amber Musk Rollerball Set, $50
100 percent of the proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Breast Cancer Awareness Limited Edition Eau de Parfum, $120
Donna Karan Cosmetics will donate 20 percent of the SRP from the sale of this product to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Kendra Scott Metastatic Breast Cancer Necklace Charm Set In Rose Gold, $110
50 percent of the proceeds from every purchase of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Charm Necklace Set will support our Legacy Retreat through Inheritance of Hope for families with a parent battling metastatic breast cancer.
Vineyard Vines 2019 Breast Cancer Awareness Long-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt, $48
20 percent of all net proceeds will be donated to Bright Pink.
Bobbi Brown 2-Pc. Proud To Be Pink Lip Color Set, $45
Bobbi Brown Cosmetics will donate $24.00 from the purchase of each Proud to Be Pink Lip Color Duo to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF) from 9/9/19 to 6/30/20.
Origins 2-Pc. Breast Cancer Awareness Limited Edition Blooming Bold Lipstick Set, $20
In support of The Estee Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign, Origins will donate 100 percent of the purchase price of this Limited Edition Blooming Bold Lipstick Set.
M. Gemi x Fuck Cancer Palestra, $228
15 percent of proceeds from the shoes, which are sold out now but are available for pre-order, will be donated to the organization Fuck Cancer. 100 percent of proceeds from the laces will also be donated.
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair with Pink Ribbon Bracelet, $100
With each purchase of this product, Estée Lauder will donate 20 percent of the suggested retail price to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Pura Vida Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet, $32
10 percent of net sales will be donated to Boarding for Breast Cancer, a nonprofit that advocates for early detection and empowers young people to live a healthier lifestyle.
La Mer The Breast Cancer Campaign Cleansing Micellar Water, $55
La Mer will donate 30 percent from the purchase price of this limited edition, travel-size Cleansing Micellar Water with a maximum donation of $53,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Saucony Women’s With Love Kinvara 10, $120
From September 9th – October 31st 20% of the proceeds directly benefit the Dr. Susan Love Foundation and their research.
Ideology Breast Cancer Logo Leggings, $26.50
Now through October 31, 2019, Macy’s will donate 20% of the sale price from this Ideology item to BCRF.
686 WOMEN’S GLCR GORE-TEX MOONLIGHT INSULATED JACKET, $359.95
Activewear brand 686 is on a mission to board for breast cancer (literally!) with their Moonlight Jacket and will donate $18 from every jacket sold to BOARDING FOR BREAST CANCER (B4BC) a nonprofit foundation providing breast cancer education, prevention, and survivor support programs for young people.
Native Peony & Jasmine Tea Deodorant, $10.00
On October 5th & October 6th, Native will donate $1 per bar of deodorant sold to Fuck Cancer’s Personal Ink (P.ink) a program, dedicated to empowering women to reclaim their bodies after mastectomies.
See Gallery
Source: Read Full Article