Christina Applegate Talks About Her Battle with Breast Cancer in Women's Health

Wonderwall, Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 11:22am (PDT)

Christina Applegate has been "to hell and back."

The 37-year-old "Anchorman" actress battled breast cancer, endured a double mastectomy, and has emerged looking as lovely as ever (did you see her at the Emmys?!). Plus, her career shows no signs of slowing down.

Thanks to the surgery, Applegate is now cancer-free and can reflect on how the experience has changed both her personal and professional life. In the October issue of Women's Health magazine, the blonde beauty opens up about her new breasts, where she finds her strength and how important it is that she hold on to her sense of humor.

On her reconstructive breast surgery following her 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!”

On a sense of humor being 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!'”

See Christina all-smiles on the 2009 Emmy red carpet

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 life and a new life rule:

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

See other stars who support cancer awareness

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.'”

On her boyfriend, Martyn LeNoble, who 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”

So is there a wedding in her near future?:

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

What she focuses on today:

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

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Photos: Christina Applegate