Celebrities Named Erin and Edie Who Have Fought Breast Cancer

Celebrities With Breast Cancer Whose Names Start With E

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. Numerous celebrities have been affected by this disease and have used their platform to raise awareness and advocate for screening and treatment. This article will highlight female celebrities whose first names start with the letter E and have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Edie Falco

Edie Falco is an award-winning actress best known for her roles in The Sopranos and Nurse Jackie. In 2003, at age 40, she was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer. She underwent chemotherapy and recovered successfully. Falco has been open about her health struggles and emphasized the importance of regular mammograms.

Erin Andrews

Sports broadcaster Erin Andrews had a public battle with cervical cancer in 2016 at age 37. Two years later, she shared that she was also diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer. Andrews documented her experience on social media and encouraged women not to skip mammograms.

Erin Zammett Ruddy

Erin Zammett Ruddy is an author and journalist who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 18. After beating lymphoma, she was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer at age 28 in 2003. Zammett Ruddy chronicles her cancer journey in her memoir Bright Lights, Big City Girl.

Erin Moran

Best known for playing Joanie on Happy Days, actress Erin Moran discovered she had stage IV breast cancer in 2016 at age 56. Sadly, she passed away just months later from complications of the disease. Her co-stars expressed great sadness at her premature passing.

Elin Nordegren

Elin Nordegren is the ex-wife of professional golfer Tiger Woods. In 2017 at age 37, she underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She broke her silence on her health battle in 2021, sharing that early detection through self-exams saved her life.

Eugenie Clark

Marine biologist Dr. Eugenie Clark, popularly known as "The Shark Lady," was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 70s. She decided to forego chemotherapy due to her age, but successfully beat the disease after surgery. She lived to age 92, passing away in 2015.

Elizabeth Edwards

Elizabeth Edwards, the estranged wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 at age 55. After treatment, she was cancer-free for several years. But in 2007 the breast cancer returned and had metastasized. She passed away from the disease in 2010 at age 61.

Risk Factors and Preventative Steps

While we don't know the specifics of each case, there are certain risk factors that can increase a woman's chances of developing breast cancer. Some of these include:

• Family history of breast cancer
• BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations
• Early onset of menstruation
• Older age
• Obesity
• Alcohol consumption
• Radiation exposure

Many of these celebrities were diagnosed at a relatively young age, demonstrating that breast cancer can affect any woman at any time. While some risk factors are out of our control, certain preventative steps can be taken to reduce risk:

• Get regular screening mammograms
• Perform monthly self-breast exams
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Limit alcohol intake
• Consider chemoprevention drugs

Types of Breast Cancer

There are several types of breast cancer that can occur. The most common are:

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

This cancer starts in the milk ducts and spreads into surrounding breast tissue. It accounts for about 80% of invasive breast cancers.

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

Starting in the breast lobes, this cancer spreads into surrounding tissue. It represents 10-15% of invasive breast cancers.

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)

DCIS is a non-invasive cancer confined to the milk ducts. Since it has not spread, it is usually curable with treatment.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

This rare, aggressive cancer causes redness and swelling of the breast. It accounts for only 1-5% of breast cancers.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Around 10-20% of breast cancers are triple negative, meaning they lack receptors for estrogen, progesterone and HER2. This makes them harder to treat.

Breast Cancer Statistics and Survival Rates

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women behind only skin cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates over 280,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2023. However, detection and treatment have greatly improved survival rates over the past several decades:

• 5-year relative survival rate for localized breast cancer: 99%
• 5-year relative survival rate for regional stage: 86%
• 5-year relative survival rate for distant stage: 28%

Thanks to earlier diagnosis through screening and advanced treatments, the overall 5-year relative survival rate for breast cancer has climbed to 90%. Many women are now able to live long lives after breast cancer.

Treatment Options

Standard treatments for breast cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted drugs. Treatment plans are tailored to each patient based on the type and stage of cancer. Some options include:

Lumpectomy

Removes the tumor while conserving most of the breast. Often followed by radiation therapy.

Mastectomy

Surgical removal of the entire breast. There are several types, including total, modified radical and partial.

Sentinel Node Biopsy

Removal and examination of one to three lymph nodes to check for cancer spread.

Radiation Therapy

Uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. May be done after lumpectomy or mastectomy.

Chemotherapy

Powerful chemical drugs that target and kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. Given before or after surgery.

Hormone Therapy

Medications that block or suppress the hormones estrogen and progesterone that can fuel breast cancer growth.

Targeted Therapy

Newer drugs that specifically target genetic mutations or proteins found in cancer cells. Examples are trastuzumab and pertuzumab.

Celebrities as Breast Cancer Advocates

The brave celebrities profiled, along with many others, serve as powerful advocates in the fight against breast cancer. They use their influence to:

• Promote awareness of risk factors, screening and symptoms
• Advocate for increased research funding and access to care
• Reduce stigma and fear associated with breast cancer
• Empower women to tell their stories and support others
• Raise millions in charitable donations for breast cancer organizations

Thanks to these dedicated celebrity activists, great progress continues to be made in understanding, detecting and treating breast cancer.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.