Do Celebrities Conquer Cancer Better?

Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell. Edward Abbey Hereditary breast cancer accounts for nearly 5 to 10 % of all breast cancers. Kylie Minogue (Singer), Elle Macpherson (supermodel), Anastasia (Ballad Queen), Sam Taylor Wood, Will Carling (rugby player, his mother was also afflicted with the disease) are few celebrities who have been diagnosed with the dreaded disease. Olivia Newton John (Singer/Actress, active participant in breast cancer awareness), Marsha Hunt (Actress/Author, made a film called Beating breast cancer), Lynn Redgrave (developed one man stage show about her breast cancer) are some of the celebrities who have intensified their fight against breast cancer by active participation in the awareness program.

Celebrities have powerful impact on the public and their influence can be used for early detection of cancer. Results of an analysis regarding the influence of celebrities on breast cancer has reported that almost three-quarters (73%) of women aged 40 and older admitted that they had seen or heard celebrities talk about mammograms, and, of these women, 25% said that it made them more likely to undergo screening mammography.

Hereditary breast cancer can be suspected when there is a strong family history of breast cancer such as occurrence of the disease in three or more first degree or second-degree relatives (mother, sister, aunt).

Two genes have been held responsible for hereditary breast cancer- BRCA1 gene located on chromosome 17 and the BRCA2 gene on chromosome 13. Currently genetic tests are available to detect an individual’s risk of developing breast cancer. At risk individuals can seek the help of genetic counselors to make decisions regarding genetic testing.

The following conditions require evaluation for hereditary breast cancer: A personal history of early onset breast cancer or early onset breast and ovarian cancer at any age and/or bilateral (or multifocal) disease, a family history of breast cancer or breast and ovarian cancer consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance, a personal history or family history of male breast cancer.

If you are still thinking over taking up a New Year resolution, this is just the right time to involve yourself helping curb the deadly disease of many women worldwide. As it is rightly said, small drops of water together make an ocean, even a very small initiative to at least perform a breast self examination can go a long way in the early identification and prevention of breast cancer.

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