Jools and Lynda Topp, a music comedy duo from New Zealand, are both now battling breast cancer. But the twin sisters have decided to battle their diseases while keeping physically distant from each other to protect them during their immunocompromised states.
Breast cancer is a common cancer that has been the subject of much research, so there are many treatment options out there. Mammograms, a standard screening procedure for breast cancer, and self breast exams can save lives.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) says women should begin yearly mammogram screening for breast cancer at age 45 if they are at average risk for breast cancer. The ACS also says those aged 40-44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year, and women age 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms.
Jools and Lynda Topp have been tied at the hip since birth literally. But now the entertainment-icon twins have just announced that they’ll both be facing a battle with breast cancer physically distant from each other.
The Topp sisters best known for their comedy, country singing and courageous activism for gay and lesbian causes have been a staple of New Zealand pop culture for quite some time now. And, sadly, this is not the first time the 63-year-old twins have had to deal with breast cancer among the two of them.
.@SundayTVNZ#EXCLUSIVE: Jools and Lynda Topp have both been diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite sharing their whole lives, the pair must make this journey apart. pic.twitter.com/phYGAN0y4q
1News (@1NewsNZ) March 26, 2022 In fact, Jools was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 at the age of 48. But after undergoing months of chemotherapy and the removal of her left breast, she was deemed cancer-free until recently when she began feeling ill late last year.
Now, the singer is dealing with another breast cancer diagnosis. But this time, Jools’ cancer has metastasized with six tumors in her chest wall.
A scan also revealed a new tumor between her ninth and tenth ribs.
“The doctor now says I’m on palliative care,” Jools explained adding that she also might have radiation treatments. “That basically means I’ve got painkillers if it gets bad.”
And, unfortunately, the bad news did not stop there. Lynda’s grade 3 invasive breast cancer diagnosis came shortly after Jools started feeling unwell.
“So, all of a sudden, boom,” Lynda said. “In Covid, I can’t be with Jools. I came out of the office at St George’s Hospital and I sat in the car. I just burst into tears.”
And being separated, for Lynda, has been arguably just as hard as her upcoming cancer battle.
“I don’t know which is harder, having cancer or not having Jools here,” she said.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 29: Jools Topp and Lynda Topp pose with their Lifetime Achievement award at the New Zealand LGBTI Awards 2018 at the Cordis Hotel on November 29, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
For treatment, she’ll need six months of chemotherapy. But the twins, who are both openly lesbian, are still looking ahead despite the harrowing cancer battles at their footsteps. Lynda even said the two will perform “until the lights go out” if they can. But for now, they two have to stay strong and get through treatments.
“If I can hold a guitar and stand up over a mic, there’ll be no stopping me,” Jools said.
Understanding Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a common cancer that has been the subject of much research. Many women develop breast cancer every year, but men can develop this cancer too though it is more rare, in part, due to the simple fact that they have less breast tissue.
There are many treatment options for people with this disease, but treatment depends greatly on the specifics of each case. Identifying these specifics means looking into whether the cancerous cells have certain receptors. These receptors the estrogen receptor, the progesterone receptor and the HER2 receptor can help identify the unique features of the cancer and help personalize treatment.
"These receptors, I like to imagine them like little hands on the outside of the cell, they can grab hold of what we call ligands, and these ligands are essentially the hormones that may be circulating in the bloodstream that can then be pulled into this cancer cell and used as a fertilizer, as growth support for the cells," Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet.
One example of a type of ligand that can stimulate a cancer cell is the hormone estrogen, hence why an estrogen receptor positive breast cancer will grow when stimulated by estrogen. For these cases, your doctor may offer treatment that specifically targets the estrogen receptor. But for HER2 positive breast cancers, therapies that uniquely target the HER2 receptor may be the most beneficial.
The Importance of Screening
Screening for breast cancer is typically done via mammogram, which looks for lumps in the breast tissue and signs of cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) says women should begin yearly mammogram screening for breast cancer at age 45 if they are at average risk for breast cancer. The ACS also says those aged 40-44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year, and women age 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms.
For screening purposes, a woman is considered to be at average risk if she doesn't have a personal history of breast cancer, a strong family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation known to increase risk of breast cancer such as a BRCA gene mutation or a medical history including chest radiation therapy before the age of 30. Beyond genetics, family history and experience with radiation therapy, experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Connie Lehman, chief of the Breast Imaging Division at Massachusetts General Hospital, said people who hadn't reached menopause yet should prioritize getting a mammogram every year.
"We know that cancers grow more rapidly in our younger patients, and having that annual mammogram can be lifesaving," Dr. Lehman said. "After menopause, it may be perfectly acceptable to reduce that frequency to every two years. But what I'm most concerned about is the women who haven't been in for a mammogram for two, three or four years, those women that have never had a mammogram. We all agree regular screening mammography saves lives."
It's also important to be on top of self breast exams. If you ever feel a lump in your breast, you should be vigilant and speak with your doctor right away. Voicing your concerns as soon as you have them can lead to earlier cancer detection which, in turn, can lead to better outcomes.
