Superstar San Francisco chef and Netflix personality Dominique Crenn, the first American woman to win three coveted Michelin stars, has revealed to her “beautiful friends” that she is now a breast cancer survivor.
Crenn made her courageous statement on Instagram, saying that while she is “scared and humbled” she is succored by the fellowship of the millions of other women who have breast cancer.
Read MoreThe French native who has lived in the U.S. since the 1980s says she’s determined to remain in the kitchen throughout her cancer journey, as “being there, engaged in my craft, and with those I love so dearly is what fuels me.”
Crenn operates the restaurant Atelier Crenn as well as a wine bar in San Francisco.
“Although I am scared, I have an amazing amount of love from my family, friends and my team who all support me and lift me up,” she wrote.
Following her Instagram announcement, Crenn, who’s also appeared on Netflix cooking shows, was deluged by messages of support from her many fans and customers.
“Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way, Chef! You are truly an inspiration!” one wrote.
“Cancer has nothing on you,” said another.
Some Crenn devotees even added personal details about their own cancer journeys.
“I am in the same boat Chef, my surgery is next week,” one wrote. “I am sending love support and peace as you navigate the many tests, results and decisions you will have to make over the next few months. Thank you for sharing with is and am wishing you the best and a healthy recovery. ”
We don’t know any details about Crenn’s breast cancer — at what stage it is at or how far it has spread, nor do we know what course of treatment the chef has elected — but women facing breast cancer usually have many options for treatment.
The first key to fighting breast cancer is prevention — taking advantage of screening tools currently available.
There is a wide consensus that women should have annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54. But there is some disagreement among doctors as to whether mammograms are beneficial for women between the ages of 40 and 45. This is an option you should, of course, discuss with your own doctor.
If you're older than 55, you can choose to continue your annual mammogramsor opt to have one every two years, says Dr. Connie Lehman, Chief of the Breast Imaging Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School. If you're post-menopausal, Dr. Lehman says you may be able to reduce the frequency of your mammograms to every other year.
There is a wide consensus that women should have annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54. But there is some disagreement among doctors as to whether mammograms are beneficial for women between the ages of 40 and 45. This is an option you should, of course, discuss with your own doctor.
If you're older than 55, you can choose to continue your annual mammogramsor opt to have one every two years, says Dr. Connie Lehman, Chief of the Breast Imaging Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School. If you're post-menopausal, Dr. Lehman says you may be able to reduce the frequency of your mammograms to every other year.
And if you fit into the high-risk category, meaning you have a first-degree relative who has had breast cancer, have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, or had radiation to the chest area when you were young, Dr. Lehman says you should start yearly mammogram screening as early as age 30.
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