Ann Jillian, Breast Cancer Survivor

Breasts are important in several societies not only in human reproduction but as objects of sexual worship. Girls and women stuff their bras with toilet paper or inflatable inserts, purchase push-up bras, tape their breast up higher, and torment their bodies in other ways to appear to have larger breasts.

Some women buy breasts by purchasing implants for surgery - several times until problems arise. Sometimes these women change their minds and have implants removed, other times, not. Frustrated women and those in pain resulting from back problems caused by heavy breasts want to have them reduced and some do so. Some frustrated women I have known feel that they should have been born as men and scream to have their breasts cut off, though at the time, few doctors would help them. Some jealous mothers threaten to have their large breasted middle school girls inflicted with double mastectomies (I've heard this as a direct witness too many times to joke about it. it is true and not funny).

Breasts can cause a universe of pain and anguish. This is true in good health, let alone during any of the stages of Breast Cancer - and doubly for men that suffer from the disease (see the list at the end of this Hub). The fact that isolated children have suffered from breast cancer is unthinkable yet true. Altogether, it would be preferable if secondary sex characteristcs did not cause so much physical, emotional, and societal pain. Breast Cancer Awareness Month each October and Hubpages this year begin to make it so. 

Friends have survived - well and not so well. One underwent successful breast reconstruction and is one of the happy cases with long life following surgery. Another suffered not only breast cancer, but cardiovascular events, diabetes, and high cholesterol all at once, along with psychological symptoms, all during pursuit of a masters degree, and was one of the not-so-happy outcomes.

Girls in American cultures need to be encouraged to accept and enjoy whatever body styles they inherit, changeable only within certain parameters of reasonable exercise and healthy eating. Plastic surgery may be acceptable and affordable for some women, but reality surgery TV shows like The Swan have put the issue too far over the top. Female children and youth need to be taught the realities of a range of healthy body images. Above all, they should not be punished in any way for being flat chested, "slow to develop" or large-breasted - especially not bullied at home for any of these.

"Breasts" as a concept is smothered in stigma, no matter the size or health of any breasts. Until societies overcome that problem, girls and women can be encouraged by public figures that have survived breast cancer survery and lived enviable lives afterward. 

Christina Applegate in the 2000s underwent double mastectomy and came back to work as an successful, attractive actress, desptie the surgery. She is one of the more recent role models for girls and women today; however, one of the originals of the Baby Boom Generation is Ann Jillian, still living, and acting since she was10 years old.

At age 35, Ann underwent a double mastectomy, but bore a son 7 years afterward. That is a powerful example to women and girls. She filmed her life story up to that point for a made-for-TV-movie and it is quite moving and an inspiration.

Aside from films, a tour with Bob Hope to entertain US troops, Golden Globes, emmy Nominations, singing, TV movies, guest appearances, and speaking engagements, Ann Jillian is the president of her production company, called 9-J. On her speaking tour, her presentations are always complimented with song. Her pianist accompanies her as she speaks and sings about the joys of motherhood and the wonders of life and good health.

In 2010, Ann has survived breast cancer surgery for over 25 years, unheard of in the mid-1980s and early 1990s. Today, Ann also writes for The Columnist online. Accessing the link, you can view her profile there about half way down the page. One of the most provocative and uplifting programs she presents in her tour is one called Never Had a Bad Day In My Life. She also does singing tours and has new recordings to be released soon.

This all is an incredible lot of accomplishment for so many years, after having played Mae West and then losing both breasts.

• Anastacia
• Brigitte Bardot
• Diahann Carroll
• Sheryl Crow
• Melissa Etheridge
• Marianne Faithfull
• Edie Falco
• Peggy Fleming and Dorothy Hamill - figure skaters
• Ernie Green - NFL
• Kate Jackson and Jacklyn Smith - Charlie's Angels. Fellow angel Farah Fawcett died of colon cancer.
• Kylie Minogue
• Olivia Newton John
• Cynthia Nixon - Sex and the City
• Elaine Paige
• Richard Roundtree - Famous for Shaft.
• Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
• Suzanne Somers - Three's Company
• Shirley Temple Black
• Maura Tierney - Broadcast News, ER, Parenthood