Jennifer Garner, Other Celebrities Advocate for Early Breast Cancer Detection

Throughout the month of October, women and men are reminded of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Knowing these signs and symptoms can help significantly lower their risk.

Mammograms are the best way to spot an early sign of breast cancer. At an earlier stage, the disease is easier to treat and may not be big enough to feel or cause symptoms. The recommended age to start getting mammograms ranges from 40 to 50 years. ¹

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, actress Jennifer Garner recently shared on Instagram a video of herself at her annual mammogram appointment, hoping to encourage others to make their appointment and get checked.²

“Every October I have a standing date. For a mammogram. For me, having the appointment on the books makes it routine, like the dentist,” she wrote. “I know it’s scary, sisters, but just do it—the next best thing to an all clear is early detection.”²

In addition to Garner, actresses Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Christina Applegate are advocates for breast cancer, both being survivors of the disease.^3-4

Louis-Dreyfus was the 2018 ambassador for Saks Fifth Avenue’s Key to the Cure program, where she was able to advocate for other breast cancer patients and raise money for the cause.³ Meanwhile, Applegate encourages all woman who carry a BRCA mutation, just like her, to be aware of their bodies.⁴

“The first thing is to be really diligent about what you’re putting into your body, as far as what kind of food you’re eating,” the actress said in a 2017 interview.⁴ “Organic is expensive. I get that. I don’t want to alienate anyone who can’t pay for that. But maybe skip your morning latte, and get organic vegetables for the week. Try to stay away from the foods that are filled with chemicals.”

REFERENCES

• Murphy, Jill. Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2019: What You Should Know. Contemporary Clinic website. https://contemporaryclinic.pharmacytimes.com/news-views/breast-cancer-awareness-month-2019-what-you-should-know. Published October 20, 2019. Accessed October 22, 2019.
• Jennifer Garner shares playful mammogram video to mark breast cancer awareness month. USA Today website. https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2019/10/17/jennifer-garner-shares-mammogram-video-breast-cancer-awareness/4014620002/. Published October 17, 2019. Accessed October 22, 2019.
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus on life after breast cancer diagnosis: “I’m grateful.” The Hollywood Reporter website. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/julia-louis-dreyfus-life-breast-cancer-diagnosis-1139702. Published September 4, 2018. Accessed October 22, 2019.
• Actress Christina Applegate reveals she had her ovaries, fallopian tubes removed. TODAY Show website. https://www.today.com/health/christina-applegate-reveals-she-had-her-ovaries-fallopian-tubes-removed-t117380. Published October 11, 2017. Accessed October 22, 2019.