Milestones as a Cancer Survivor
- Pop star and cancer survivor Kylie Minogue just celebrated her 55th birthday and her new song “Padam Padam” is being called her “comeback” single.
- Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 when she was just 36 years old. After a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation, she was declared cancer-free in 2006.
- Sharing her cancer journey led to an increase in breast cancer screenings dubbed the "Kylie effect."
- Currently, there is a wide consensus that women at average risk should begin screening at 45. However, it is a personal decision with your doctor, who can help you decide if you should screen earlier, such as at 40.
- Reaching milestones as a cancer survivor may mean even more than they did previously, so remember to enjoy them and celebrate everything you've overcome.
Minogue is loving life and enjoying the success of what people are calling her “comeback” single “Padam Padam.” The new song, which was released just last month, has been the inspiration for many memes and dance videos across social media platforms. And now it’s crushing the charts.
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“I just wanted to say, thank you so, so much for all your birthday messages and the ‘Padam’ reaction and the love,” she said in the short video. “It’s been an incredible week topped off by being my birthday today, and I can’t thank you enough. My heart is bursting with joy, so thank you so, so much.”
Kylie Minogue’s Cancer Battle
Kylie Minogue received her breast cancer diagnosis on May 17, 2005, after an initial misdiagnosis. She was only 36 at the time.
Expert Breast Cancer Information
“I remember having had my diagnosis, but the world didn’t know,” Minogue said in 2020.
“I was with my brother and my boyfriend at the time we were all in a daze and went to a cafe.
“The server at the cafe was like, ‘Hey, how are you today?’ We just kind of robotically said, ‘Good, thanks,’ and in that moment I just thought: You really don’t know what anyone is going through. I thought that same person by tomorrow is going to see the news and say, ‘Oh my God, she was here yesterday, and we didn’t know.'”
I Wanted My Doctor To Like Me, Then He Missed My Breast Cancer
The news came right before she was planning to headline the iconic Glastonbury Festival that year. Instead of doing that career-defining performance, she was forced to watch the event on TV from Australia with her mom, Carol, and dad, Ron.
"My memory's so strong of so much around that time and while my focus had moved on from Glastonbury, I was watching and going, 'I'm meant to be there,'" she said.
"It would have been pretty mega at the time to headline the next woman to do it was Beyonce."
For treatment, Minogue had a lumpectomy, an eight-month cycle of chemotherapy and radiation. She was eventually declared cancer-free in February 2006, but she still had to take medication for five years.
When You're Getting a Mammogram, Ask About Dense Breasts
Determined to turn hardship into something powerful, Minogue bravely chose to open up about her cancer battle. The result was the "Kylie effect" a phenomenon where mammogram appointments increased after her efforts to raise awareness.
"I have people tell me to my face, 'Well I went to get checked and I'm now five years cancer free," Minogue said. "Everyone's story is different, but it's a good feeling to know that you've raised awareness and helped people."
Celebrating Milestones as a Cancer Survivor
Milestones are exciting for anyone. Birthdays, weddings, holidays you name it. But they might just mean even more after you’ve become a cancer warrior, just like Kylie Minogue.
Just ask blood cancer warrior Chrissy Degennaro.
I'm Able to Be Here For More Milestones One Cancer Survivor's Incredible Story
Since she received her multiple myeloma diagnosis over a decade ago as a 36-year-old mother to a 2-year-old son, she's had 27 rounds of chemotherapy, two stem cell transplants, a CAR T-cell trial and two CAR T-cell transplants for treatment.
Unlike Minogue, Degennaro has been forced to live with her cancer since it is technically not curable. Even still, she’s managed to focus on the positives and make the most of everyday memories.
"You know, I do live one day at a time," she said. "Now, maybe I can go a week, a month, but things are looking pretty good.
"I'm able to be here for more milestones for my son, for more holidays, more birthdays. I do feel like I have had another chance at life."
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