Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ cancer diagnosis
“1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today, I’m the one.”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, best known for her roles as Elaine in ‘Seinfeld’ and U.S. Vice President Selina Meyer in ‘Veep,’ shared in a tweet Thursday that she is one of more than 250,000 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in the U.S.
Just when you thought… pic.twitter.com/SbtYChwiEj
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) September 28, 2017
Earlier this month, Louis-Dreyfus took home her seventh Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her recent work in ‘Veep.’ It was reported she was diagnosed the day after her historic Emmy win.
She seems to be in high spirits, using this as an opportunity to push national conversations, like her stance on the importance of health care for all.
“The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union,” says Louis-Dreyfus in her diagnosis tweet. “The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let’s fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality”
It’s important to know your risk, as early detection is the best way to fight breast cancer.
“Many breast cancers are clinically “occult,” or only seen on the screening mammogram,” says Dr. Nila Alsheik, co-medical director of the Caldwell Breast Center and diagnostic radiologist at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill. “Therefore, annual screening mammography is a very important preventative measure. Increased risk of breast cancer is seen in patients with certain genetic mutations (BRCA-1/2), elevated family history and prior history of chest irradiation.”
“There is also an increased relative risk of breast cancer in patients with heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breasts. However, the majority of breast cancers are detected in women with average risk and therefore, annual screening mammography beginning at age 40 is extremely important.”
Women should also be giving themselves regular self-breast examinations and looking for signs of breast cancer.
“Potential symptoms are a palpable breast or axillary mass, focal skin dimpling/thickening or bloody nipple discharge,” explains Dr. Alsheik. “Any new breast or axillary symptom should be brought to the attention of your physician and receive prompt breast imaging as clinically indicated.”
Our Breast Health Assessment estimates your five-year and lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and other Advocate hospitals offer online scheduling for mammogram screenings. Click here to make your appointment now. You can schedule a same-day mammogram and get your results the same day, too.
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About the Author
Marrison Worthington, health enews contributor, is a public affairs manager for Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She is a graduate of Illinois State University and has several years of global corporate communications experience under her belt. Marrison loves spending her free time traveling, reading organizational development blogs, trying new cooking recipes, and playing with her golden retriever, Ari.
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Correction. Early diagnosis is NOT the best way to fight breast cancer. Prevention is the best way. Studies show that too much animal protein (meat and dairy) increases your risk for breast cancer. Read T.Colin Campbell’s book, The China Study, to learn how a whole foods diet without meat and dairy can drastically reduce your risk of breast cancer. Yes, you will have to change your eating habits, but it’s a lot better than the alternative. I was diagnosed in 2001 and have remained cancer free. I eat plenty of greens, beans, fruits and whole grain and have never felt and looked better. Take charge of your health and stop listening to outdated advice. Do your own research. The medical profession treats symptoms. They rarely step back and ask why.