The Kylie Factor

Kylie Minogue, the sultry Australian pop singer and actress, was detected to have breast cancer at the age of 37. The diagnosis forced this  international celebrity to put an end to her Showgirl Tour and career. She underwent breast surgery in Melbourne in May 2005, followed by chemotherapy in France. What makes her so special is the way she underwent treatment for her disease under intense public gaze, and the openness with which she shared her experience with her fans and the public.  She is back on track in her career, where she is flying even higher than before.

            Voted “Woman of the Year” in 2006 because of her inspirational fight against the disease, Kylie helped create a wave of awareness amongst fans and public about breast cancer. It led to a spike in screening tests in women. Described as the “Kylie Factor”, 40% more women underwent mammography and other tests as part of a cancer detection check up.

            Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in women in developed countries, afflicting one of every 8. It is the 2^nd commonest cancer (cancer cervix being the most common) in India, and is estimated to occur in one of every 22 women. Around 80,000 women are diagnosed with this condition in India every year. It usually occurs in the 4^th to 7^th decade, but may occur in younger age, as was the case with Kylie Minogue. Women with a family history of breast or uterine cancer, those who have not borne babies and Parsis are at high risk.  Mutation of the genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) accounts for the development of this cancer in a significant proportion of cases.

            Breast cancer is curable if diagnosed at an early stage, when it is usually painless. This underscores the need for greater awareness in women. It can be picked up by regular routine self examination of the breast and a mammography test in those above 45.  Treatment consists of removal of the small lump by surgery, followed by some medications. The breast does not always have to be removed fully, or can be reconstructed for cosmesis.

            Treatment is more difficult if the disease is diagnosed at an advanced stage, especially when it has spread to other parts of the body. Surgery, even extensive, may not succed in removing the entire tumour and chemotherapy may not be able to kill all the cancer cells. The outcome in this setting remains somewhat grim.

            Kylie had likened her cancer battle as “experiencing a nuclear bomb”, but has fought and won it with grit and determination. As a pop legend, she has sold more than 60 million records. She has, however, become immortal in creating awareness about breast cancer in women.

As published in HT City, Hindustan Times dated 26 july , 2009.