Published Nov 12, 2020

Singer Kylie Minogue, 52, Says She Had to Adapt to a New Normal After Beating Breast Cancer: ‘Life Is a Series of Challenges’

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A Whole New Perspective

Singer Kylie Minogue, 52, says after her 2005 breast cancer diagnosis, she’s been able to adapt to new challenges.
Minogue went through an 8-month cycle of chemotherapy and radiation.
An expert tells SurvivorNet that there are debates surrounding radiation: such as how much to give, whether radiation is even necessary, and which techniques will lead to the least amount of side-effects.

Singer Kylie Minogue, 52, says living through breast cancer gave her a whole new perspective on life. She’s been able to channel that into her funky new album Disco. The acclaimed performer beat the disease in 2006, and says moments in life have even more meaning now.

Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 when she was just 36-years-old. As a result, she had to put a hold on her performances that year as she went through an eight-month cycle of chemotherapy and radiation. She was declared in remission in 2006 and credits her support system of friends, family, and fans for her being able to fight through treatment. Now, she says she’s a gained a whole new perspective on life and special moments it brings.

“It’s a huge change, and it is before and after,” Minogue tells People. “Now with what’s happening in the world, there’s a lot of people talking about a new normal, but I think after cancer or any other big, life-changing incident or illness, you have to adapt…Life is a series of challenges and you aim to have as many good times as possible,” she says. “At this stage in my life I really feel like life is just made of moments, and the more moments that can be good, try to acknowledge that that was a good moment. Because it’s all coming at you, good and bad.”

Since going public with her diagnosis, Minogue has become an advocate for breast cancer prevention and encouraging everyone to schedule their annual mammograms. This screening process is the most effective tool in detecting and catching breast cancer early, which can significantly influence treatment outcomes.

Cancer survivor CC Webster explains how fighting cancer gives you a whole new perspective

Mammograms for Breast Cancer

In general, women between the ages of 45 and 54 are recommended to start scheduling mammograms at least once per year. However, if you're younger, and know through your family history you may be at extra risk, it's important to talk to your doctor about getting screened earlier. For women who have had a first-degree relative with breast cancer, the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, or radiation on their chest, experts suggest women start mammograms as early as 30-years-old.

“We all agree regular screening mammography saves lives,” Dr. Connie Lehman, Chief of the Breast Imaging Division at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, tells SurvivorNet. “Every doctor that I know, every organization that I know really encourages women to have a mammogram. I want to be completely clear. If you are between 50 and 74 and you have not had a mammogram in the last two years, you are overdue. Please get a mammogram.”

Dr. Connie Lehman explains when women should start scheduling their mammograms

Radiation for Breast Cancer

The purpose of radiation is to target cancer cells, and completely eliminate them. Even though radiation is considered a standard treatment option for many types of cancers, there’s been debates about whether it’s the right route for breast cancer patients. These debates include: whether to radiate the whole breast versus partial breast radiation, whether some patients even need radiation at all, and which radiation techniques offer the best outcomes with the least side effects.

“I would say that, when it comes to radiation therapy to the breast, what we’re learning is that shorter courses of radiation, like short course whole breast, may be associated with equal clinical outcomes and even the potential for reduced side effects,” Dr. Chirag Shah, former Director of Breast Radiation Oncology at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, tells SurvivorNet.

Despite debates, radiation has shown huge promise for many breast cancer patients. Just take Minogue as an example.

Dr. Chirag Shah breaks down the debates around using radiation for breast cancer treatment

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