Christina Applegate, our October cover star, opens up about her battle with breast cancer and how she rebounded from her health crisis a stronger, happier person and driven to make a difference.

Christina is also the ambassador for Lee National Denim Day – on October 2nd Lee in collaboration with Christina’s foundation, Right Action for Women, invites companies to participate in Denim Day where their employees wear their jeans to work in exchange for a $5 contribution.

A sense of humor can be the best remedy:

“I laughed more in the hospital than I ever have in my life, making fun of all the weird things that were happening to me. My friends would walk in with this sad look, and I would throw something at them and say, ‘Come on! This isn’t the end of the world!’”

On meeting other cancer survivors:

“There’s a real kinship when we meet. We hold each other tight because we know where the other has been: to hell and back.”

On joining other breast cancer survivors at a “Stand Up to Cancer” benefit:

“Backstage, Jennifer Aniston said something like, ‘I don’t like having to see my three girlfriends up there, but I am so proud of you.’ That was nice.”

On her new breasts (after a reconstructive surgery following a double mastectomy):

“It’s really hard because they just aren’t the same—and I had really good ones. If you have boobs you don’t like, you can go and choose the size you want, and then get a brand-new present. But it’s different [when it’s not your choice]. But I hold on to the fact that I don’t have to wear a bra, which is great!”

Overeating during her recent trip to Italy :

“If I see another Caprese salad, I’m going to lose it! We kind of went balls out.”

Her boyfriend, Martyn Lenoble, was her rock through her battle with cancer:

“I don’t think I would have been able to get through any of it without him”

On recent engagement rumors:

“Can a girl please wear a ring on her left hand and not have it be all, ‘Is she engaged?’”

She focuses on today:

“I’ve never been one to pull the covers over my head. I have to push through things.”

Her newly adopted set of life rules:

“If you get too caught up in the outer, you forget about the inner.”

Christina’s inspiration to start her foundation, Right Action for Women:

“I became really passionate about people who are at high risk having the same opportunity to get this sort of testing. Some insurance companies consider the tests exploratory, which is just ridiculous. I mean, it saved my life!”

On meeting a woman touched by her cause:

“It was pretty heavy. She was crying and holding me and said, ‘Thank you for saving my life.’ When that happens, you can’t help but think ‘OK I’ve done the right thing.”

To find out more log on to: www.womenshealthmag.com



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