Cancer celebrities

In the last two days, I've heard that Christina Applegate, currently starring in Samantha Who (she's been nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe for the show), best known as Kelly for 11 seasons on Married . . . with Children, is being treated for breast cancer at the tender age of 36 (she has an extensive family history). She will appear in a fundraiser, Stand Up to Cancer, which will be broadcast on all three networks on September 5.

And longtime political journalist, Robert Novak, who has embraced the moniker "the Prince of Darkness," just retired at age 77, because he has a malignant brain tumor. He is best known for "outing" CIA agent Valerie Plame, without regret, apology, or consequences to himself.

One more note - a recent large scale review of studies revealed that elaborate monthly breast self exam is NOT effective in early detection. UK doctors suggest just being "aware" of how your breasts normally look and feel. It's actually good news for women who have never felt comfortable with detailed breast self examination or who just forget to do it (who could I be referring to) . . .