Christina Applegate’s Cancer Journey

Christina Applegate is an American actress, best known for her role as Kelly Bundy in the 1987 sitcom Married with… Children. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2008. After having undergone treatment, she has since been declared to be in remission for over 18 years.

Applegate was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, at the age of 36. She has a family history of cancer, with her mother having been diagnosed with breast cancer twice. As a result, Applegate has been undergoing regular screenings for breast cancer at an early age. Her cancer was discovered during a routine MRI scan, where a tumor was found in her right breast. However, she did not experience any symptoms prior to her diagnosis.

Applegate appeared to remain positive when she first announced her diagnosis. However, after some time, she shared that she never truly felt that way and she was just trying her best to cope with the news of her cancer.

"My first interview was with Robin Roberts when I had cancer, and I'm sitting there lying my ass off about how I felt," she shared. "Everything I was saying was a freaking lie. It was me trying to convince myself of something, and I think that did no service to anyone."

Applegate added that she got up and "literally fell into the wall" after the interview and began sobbing "because it was a lie." She confessed that she struggled with her diagnosis, as she was “crying every night”. “Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I scream, and I get really angry and I get really into wallowing in self-pity sometimes, and I think it’s all part of healing,” she shared.

After considering the treatment options available to her, Applegate opted for a double mastectomy. “I didn’t want to go back to the doctors every four months for testing and squishing and everything. I just wanted to kind of be rid of this whole thing for me. This was the choice that I made, and it was a tough one,” she shared.

Following mastectomy, she underwent breast reconstruction surgery. She truthfully confessed, “I didn’t like my boobies. I still don’t like my boobies. It’s horrible. I don’t have nipples. It’s weird.”

Fortunately, Applegate was declared cancer-free following her surgery. The prognosis for localized breast cancer is relatively positive, with the five-year relative survival rate being 99%. Hence, early detection is important in the treatment of breast cancer.

Even though her cancer journey was met with significant physical, emotional, and mental challenges, Applegate was committed to raising awareness about breast cancer. Since her diagnosis, Applegate has been actively raising awareness about breast cancer, advocating for early detection and genetic testing, as well as providing support for those affected.

Applegate founded Right Action for Women in 2008, an organization focused on making breast cancer screenings, such as MRIs, accessible for women, especially those at high risk of developing the disease. She has also partnered with sportswear company ASICS over multiple campaigns to help raise funds for improved access to MRIs for affected women.

In August 2024, Applegate revealed on social media platform X that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Since then, she has been undergoing treatment. Despite this, Applegate has remained resilient and expressed her desire to continue pursuing her career. She has also continued her advocacy work, speaking out honestly about her health challenges and struggles. Through her efforts, Applegate continues to inspire others while managing the complexities of life after cancer.