Honey I Shrunk the Kids Actress Marcia Strassman Takes Center Stage
To Tell Her Story About Living With Advanced Breast Cancer
Msrcia Strassman, Television and Film Actress; Stage IV Breast Cancer Patient
Background:
Marcia Strassman is best known for playing the role of the nurturer. From an army nurse in early episodes of the classic TV show M*A*S*H, playing Gabe Kaplans wife in the series Welcome Back Kotter, starring as “Honey” in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids movies, to her own real-life 21-year-old daughter, Lizzie. Now, at age 60 and living with Stage IV breast cancer (Stage IV means that the cancer has already spread to another part of the body, including the bones), Strassman is taking on possibly her most important nurturing role yet, but this time to a new audience breast cancer patients.
Strassman, who was diagnosed in March 2007 with advanced breast cancer, has seen first-hand the importance of working closely with a medical team to properly manage her cancer and the complications that can result from the illness. Surprised by the discovery that many cancer patients do not adhere to their treatment regimens outlined by their oncology team, Strassman, who is vigilant about taking her treatments, is embarking on a multi-city tour over the next year to tell her story to patients nationwide and encourage them to follow their prescribed treatment regimen carefully.
The month of October marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Strassman will be available via satellite on Wednesday, October 22nd to share her story about her recent diagnosis of Stage IV breast cancer; discuss the steps she is taking to treat her cancer; and tell why she has decided to share her story with others.
Facts About Strassman And Her Diagnosis:
Not only did Strassman leave her doctors office with a diagnosis of breast cancer in March 2007, following initial surgery at St. Johns Hospital in Los Angeles, she was told that her cancer had spread to the bone.
In breast cancer‚ metastasis or complications to the bone occurs in 65-75% of patients; bone metastases wear away portions of the bones, leaving them weak and fragile.
Doctors immediately put Strassman on treatments to both manage the cancer as well as help stabilize her bones. Since her diagnosis, Strassman remains committed to adhering to her treatment regimen to care for her bones. And today, her most recent scans show the damage to her bones remains unchanged.
Today, Strassman continues to enjoy the same active lifestyle as before she received her diagnosis, which includes working, spending time with family and friends and hiking with her dog.
Strassmans interview is supported by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
