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Popular talk-show host Rosie O’Donnell has teamed up with her
own breast health specialist, Dr. Deborah Axelrod, to bring women a
new book about breast cancer:
Bosom Buddies: Lessons and Laughter on Breast Health and
Cancer
. Throughout the book, Rosie contributes her sense of humor
with comedic anecdotes and responses to Dr. Axlerod’s content. Most
chapters begin with a personal account from a different celebrity
breast cancer survivor, including Julia Child, Kate Jackson and Jill
Eikenberry. In addition, each chapter ends with a crossword or song
about breast cancer. While there is no shortage of humor, the book
includes serious and informative content on breast health and breast
cancer in an easy to understand question and answer
format.
At age 28, Rosie faced her own scare with breast cancer when
she discovered a lump in her breast while practicing
breast self-examination . After a mammogram and emergency lumpectomy, a biopsy proved the lump
was benign
(not cancerous). Six years later, just prior to the debut of Rosie’s
hit talk show, several additional suspicious lumps were found during
a mammogram that was performed as a part of an insurance physical.
Rosie had just moved to New York, the locale of her new show. A
friend, who had been treated for breast cancer, referred Rosie to
Dr. Alexrod, where that same day she underwent an ultrasound and needle biopsy . Again, all of the lumps were benign.
Following repeated questions by Dr. Axlerod about a family
history of breast cancer, Rosie set out to learn more. During the
process, she discovered that her mother, who died when Rosie was
only 10, had died from metastasized breast cancer. The news
devastated Rosie, who had been told by her father that her mother’s
death was caused by liver cancer. Armed with this information and
her own encounters with the disease, Rosie began the process of
learning everything she could about breast cancer and breast care.
Rosie has never had a "normal"
mammogram .
And while each mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy has caused her
great stress, all of the suspicious areas found have been benign.
Determined to keep it that way, Rosie set out on a crusade to
promote early breast cancer detection through routine breast self-examination and
mammogram . To
help accomplish this, Rosie uses her show to educate women about
breast cancer and inspire them to take responsibility for their
breast health.
Rosie believes that there is no shame in breast cancer and
breast health, and her willingness to share her own encounters with
the disease has helped thousands of women face fears about getting a
mammogram. Periodically, Rosie has even accompanied fearful fans to
a clinic to have a mammogram. Afterwards, she features these women
as guests on her show to share their mammogram experience as a way
of educating more women about the disease and encouraging early
breast cancer detection.
During October 1999, Rosie promoted National Breast Cancer
Awareness Month and, specifically early detection, through her
"Don’t be a Boob" campaign. As part of the promotion, she encouraged
woman to call a toll free 800 number provided by the American Cancer
Society (800-ACS-2345) to find out where to obtain a free or low
cost mammogram. In addition, through the end of the year, Rosie is
giving away free "Don’t Be A Boob" T-shirts to the first 130,000
female respondents who receive a mammogram during 1999. This is the
second year Rosie has used the show to promote breast health. In
1998, the show promoted breast cancer awareness through the "I got
squished" campaign.
To receive a free T-shirt, send your name, address and your
mammogram receipt or equivalent doctor’s note to the following
address by December 31, 1999:
The Rosie GM Concept: Cure
"Don’t Be A Boob Sweepstakes
P.O. Box 65695
Salt Lake City, Utah 84165-0695
The book, Bosom Buddies, which is
set-up in a question/answer format, covers all aspects of breast
health including
non-cancerous breast
conditions
,
nipple discharge , breast pain, breast cancer risk , breast disease, diagnosis, treatment, and
breast-feeding. All profits from Bosom Buddies
go to four leading breast cancer organizations.
Additional Resources and References:
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