Since Christina Applegate was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, she’s overhauled her entire lifestyle – from adopting a vegetarian diet to completely avoiding stress.
But in an interview with Today, the actress – who previously underwent a double mastectomy – has revealed she’s taking further action ward off the devastating disease.
“Two weeks ago, I had my ovaries and [fallopian] tubes removed,” she shared.
“My cousin passed away from ovarian cancer in 2008. I could prevent that. That’s how I’ve taken control of everything.
“It’s a relief,” she added. “That’s one other thing off the table. Now, let’s hope I don’t get hit by a bus.”
As the 45-year-old has the BRCA1 gene mutation which predisposes her to develop cancer, she sees her oncologist every six months to keep tabs on her health.
“I don’t need mammograms anymore. I don’t have breasts They still check me out as if I had all my parts. That’s never going to go away,” she said. “If you know you’re at high risk, you need to start as soon as possible.”
The Married With Children Star has also founded Right Action For Women, a non-profit which provides assistance for those who are at an increased risk for the gene and are not in a financial position to afford breast screenings.
“We’re at this place where we need sit down and figure out the future of what it is that we’re doing and get into more of the BRCA tests for women,” she said. “That’s a huge cost for a lot of people who don’t have perfect insurance. If you do know you have the gene, it gives you an empowerment about your lifestyle.”
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