Kristen Bell and Cancer Risk
Bell is technically under the recommended screening age for women at average risk for breast cancer. But that doesn’t mean younger women can’t get breast cancer (because they do), and that also doesn’t mean she is even at average risk. It’s likely that she discussed her breast cancer risk with her doctor and decided this was the right time to begin screening for her. RELATED: Actress Kristen Bell, 41, Details ‘What I Wish They Would’ve Told Me’ Before Her Recent Elective ColonoscopyAnd though we don’t know her breast cancer risk, we do know that she is at a higher risk for colon cancer given her family history of the disease. She even underwent an elective colonoscopy earlier this year because of her increased risk. And for that, SurvivorNet commends Bell on her determination to take control of her health.
Understanding Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a common cancer that has been the subject of much research. Many women develop breast cancer every year, but men can develop this cancer too – though it is more rare, in part, due to the simple fact that they have less breast tissue.
There are many treatment options for people with this disease, but treatment depends greatly on the specifics of each case. Identifying these specifics means looking into whether the cancerous cells have certain receptors. These receptors – the estrogen receptor, the progesterone receptor and the HER2 receptor – can help identify the unique features of the cancer and help personalize treatment.
RELATED: ‘It’s A Game Changer’: FDA Approves Keytruda, Chemo Combo To Treat Aggressive Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
“These receptors, I like to imagine them like little hands on the outside of the cell, they can grab hold of what we call ligands, and these ligands are essentially the hormones that may be circulating in the bloodstream that can then be pulled into this cancer cell and used as a fertilizer, as growth support for the cells,” Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet.
The Unique Features of Breast Cancer: Deciding the Right Course of Treatment
One example of a type of ligand that can stimulate a cancer cell is the hormone estrogen, hence why an estrogen receptor positive breast cancer will grow when stimulated by estrogen. For these cases, your doctor may offer treatment that specifically targets the estrogen receptor. But for HER2 positive breast cancers, therapies that uniquely target the HER2 receptor may be the most beneficial.
The Importance of Screening
Screening for breast cancer is typically done via mammogram, which looks for lumps in the breast tissue and signs of cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) says women should begin yearly mammogram screening for breast cancer at age 45 if they are at average risk for breast cancer. The ACS also says those aged 40-44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year, and women age 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms.
For screening purposes, a woman is considered to be at average risk if she doesn’t have a personal history of breast cancer, a strong family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation known to increase risk of breast cancer such as a BRCA gene mutation or a medical history including chest radiation therapy before the age of 30. Beyond genetics, family history and experience with radiation therapy, experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Connie Lehman, chief of the Breast Imaging Division at Massachusetts General Hospital, said people who hadn’t reached menopause yet should prioritize getting a mammogram every year.
When Should I Get a Mammogram?
“We know that cancers grow more rapidly in our younger patients, and having that annual mammogram can be lifesaving,” Dr. Lehman said. “After menopause, it may be perfectly acceptable to reduce that frequency to every two years. But what I’m most concerned about is the women who haven’t been in for a mammogram for two, three or four years, those women that have never had a mammogram. We all agree regular screening mammography saves lives.”
RELATED: Check Your Breasts Today, and Once Every Month; Survivor Giuliana Rancic Stresses Its Importance
It’s also important to be on top of self breast exams. If you ever feel a lump in your breast, you should be vigilant and speak with your doctor right away. Voicing your concerns as soon as you have them can lead to earlier cancer detection which, in turn, can lead to better outcomes.
Learn more about SurvivorNet’s rigorous medical review process.
— Update: 12-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Kristen Bell talks boobs and body image from the website www.sheknows.com for the keyword kristen bell breast cancer.
After having her daughter, Kristen Bell did something very un-Hollywood: She didn’t care about getting her post-baby body back.
The Veronica Mars star hosted American Express’ Epic EveryDay Getaway in New York City, where moms won a SoulCycle class in Grand Central Station, glam makeovers from DryBar and Sephora and gorgeous gowns from Rent the Runway. She explained why she’s been so open about not making fitting back into her skinny jeans a priority. “I just don’t think it’s very important and I feel like we can all let each other off the hook if more people talk about the fact that being healthy is absolutely important,” Kristen tells SheKnows. “Being skinny is really not important.”
In fact, there are certain aspects that she wants to keep about her body after having a baby, like her bra size. “I still have my breastfeeding boobs, which I was really excited about,” she explained of her new curves. “They get like monster, and they’re up high. It’s what I imagine having breast implants would be like, but you get them for about a year. It’s dope.” Luckily, she’s expecting again, she’ll get to keep her cleavage for awhile!
Read more Mucinous Carcinoma of the Breast (Colloid Cancer)
The 33-year-old actress is so comfortable in her own skin that she posed completely naked for Allure‘s annual Nudes issue, and didn’t even step up her workout routine before the shoot. “To put my money where was my mouth was, I needed to be shot in the body I was living in,” Kristen says of her decision to stick to the status quo.
Kristen wants to get something else straight. “Bikini Season is not a thing. It’s called SUMMER,” she recently tweeted. As for how to be confident at the beach, she says it’s all in your attitude. “Weirdly enough, especially in a bikini, I think it’s all mental. There are so many fun wraps and skirts and cover-ups… even throwing a long gold necklace on if you’re feeling slightly insecure! If you’re gonna wear one, just wear one. Who cares?”
“I’m not saying eat seven cheeseburgers before you put your bikini on but love where you’re at, or don’t bother,” she adds. “There’s no sense going out to the beach wearing a bikini and being nervous the whole time. It’s miserable!” While Kristen admits she still has insecurities sometimes, she’s realized what matters and what doesn’t. It also doesn’t hurt having husband Dax Shepard as her biggest fan. “When I was at my biggest in my pregnancy, he would say, ‘You’re the best looking I’ve ever seen you.’ It’s extremely respectful to the battles women face with each other and with the media and with pictures and their own mirrors and he’s so wildly supportive that it makes my existence a whole hell of a lot easier.”
Having her own “joyful” daughter, who’s currently learning sign language, has made her more zen of a person in general. “Even when I’m on the road and having a tiny bout of road rage, I can now think that the other person in the car is someone’s kid and it changes my perspective to be a little more compassionate.”
More celeb mom news
Kim Kardashian starts debate: Is it cruel to pierce Baby’s ears? Jillian Michaels get naked for Shape magazine Steal her mommy style: Jennifer Garner
— Update: 12-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Actress Kristen Bell, 40, Says “I’ve Been Struggling the Last 2 Weeks,” Reminding Us Importance of Mental Health; Especially Critical For Those Fighting Cancer from the website www.survivornet.com for the keyword kristen bell breast cancer.
We are living through one of the most challenging times in our history due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to the deaths of over 2 million people globally, countless others losing their jobs, and social isolation has hit our mental health with, what feels like a hammer. Now think about all of those people battling cancer or worrying about a loved one with cancer. Keeping positive under those circumstances can be an even bigger lift. Related: From Handling Anxiety to Tele-Therapy, Mental Health Expert Gives Tips For Cancer Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic So when actress and mother of two, Bell, shared this vulnerable message on Instagram so many of us could relate. She said, “I’ve been struggling the last 2 weeks, for who-knows-why-slash-ALL-the-reasons. Today I finally got back on the treadmill, figuratively and literally. And I’m proud. “Good job, kb.” I said to myself. To anyone who’s been feeling the same, you can do it. Just do the next right thing. I love u. Xo”
Read more Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Role of Specific Chemotherapy Agents
Bell has been open in the past about her struggles with anxiety and depression. Her willingness to talk about mental health and her decision to take anti-depressants is incredibly inspiring and releases others from any shame they may feel around discussing mental health. It amazing how Bell is showing the world that these struggles aren’t something to be ashamed of.
Mental Health for People with Cancer
For people fighting cancer amid the pandemic, they are faced with an additional amount of struggles, on top of all the day-to-day pandemic woes. Dr. Mona Robbins, a Psychologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, said in a previous interview that a cancer diagnosis can change your identity, and she encourages people to think about how they can take control of their new reality, and take care of their mental health.
Related: Mental Health and Cancer — The Fight, Flight or Freeze Response
“In my work with patients,” said Dr. Robbins, “I want to make sure that they recognize who they are as they’re going through treatment…Something else that’s helpful is the idea of distraction, where perhaps a person listens to music or does something that takes their mind away,” she said.
Related: “The Mental Game Is as Strong as Medicine”—Cancer Survivors Share How They Keep Going In Uncertain Times
Dr. Robbins also acknowledges the power of the mind-body connection, and how people battling cancer can use it to their advantage. “Just the way you think can affect your energy, your mood, your desire, and your motivation,” she said. “There’s this connection with the mind and the body that if we adjust the way that we think, we can really help our bodies to heal,” Dr. Robbins says.
Mind Over Cancer
Staying Positive Through Cancer
During tough moments, whether it’s living through a pandemic or battling cancer, it can be difficult to look for the silver linings. But focusing on the good, staying grateful, and finding the positive, in any situation, can make a big difference. An expert told SurvivorNet how it may even improve a person’s prognosis when battling cancer.
Related: 7 Cancer Survivors Share How Gratitude, Faith, & Seeking the Good In Life Help Give Them Strength
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, said in an earlier interview, “My patients who thrive, even with stage 4 cancer, from the time that they, about a month after they’re diagnosed, I kind of am pretty good at seeing who is going to be OK. Now doesn’t that mean I’m good at saying that the cancer won’t grow. But I’m pretty good at telling what kind of patients are going to still have this attitude and probably going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who, they have gratitude in life.”
Stay Positive, It Matters
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