Did ‘Pieces of Her’ Star Toni Collette Have Breast Cancer in Real Life?
The health of series star Toni Collette has come into question as viewers of the new Netflix series Pieces of Her wonder if the sickness suffered by her on-screen character is reflective of her own. We clarify whether or not Collette was diagnosed with breast cancer and analyze her meteoric rise to fame.
Based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Karin Slaughter, Pieces of Her was created by Charlotte Stoudt for Netflix and tells the narrative of Andy after she and her mother, Laura, survive a shooting at a diner.
Did Toni Collette Have Breast Cancer in Real Life?
To put viewers’ minds at ease after questions were raised about her portrayal on Netflix, star Toni Collette did not actually suffer from breast cancer. During the course of the story, Laura Oliver, portrayed by Collette, undergoes chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.
When a particularly graphic scene with Collette was shown when Laura was in recovery from a mastectomy, fans became worried for her safety. Makeup, prosthetics, or computer manipulation was probably employed to help the performer pull this off. Colette co-starred with Drew Barrymore in the film Miss You Already, where her character also had to deal with breast cancer.
Toni Collette’s Successful Career
Collette’s debut as Muriel in the early 1990s blockbuster Muriel’s Wedding marked the beginning of her successful acting career. Her subsequent roles as Lynn Sear in “The Sixth Sense,” “Sheryl” in “Little Miss Sunshine,” and “Fiona Brewer” in “About a Boy” are also noteworthy. She was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Zeena the Seer in Nightmare Alley and she also appeared as Joni Thrombey and Annie in those films.
Read More: What Type of Cancer Does The Bell Star Dustin Diamond Have?
Learn About the Breast Cancer Experience
Even though Laura, as portrayed by Collette in Pieces of Her, is a fictional character, many women in the United States undergo an identical battle with breast cancer each year. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 287,850 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2018. (ACS).
Most women who get checked for breast cancer have mammograms done. Detection can occur inadvertently, such as when a woman feels a lump in her breast in the shower. Have you noticed anything peculiar about your body? Consult a medical professional immediately.
A person who has been diagnosed with breast cancer will find out whether or not the disease is in the early, intermediate, or late stages at the time of diagnosis. The stage of breast cancer describes the disease’s progression and indicates whether or not it has spread to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer that has metastasized, or spread to other parts of the body, is considered to be an advanced stage of the illness. Many people refer to metastatic breast cancer as “stage 4 breast cancer.” In addition to the many subtypes of breast cancer, there are also many different presentation styles.
Triple-negative breast cancer, for instance, is more aggressive than other forms of the disease (TNBC). Alternative treatments for breast cancer include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. It is possible to treat breast cancer with either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy.
Someone may choose to get a mastectomy to lessen their chances of acquiring breast cancer if there is a strong family history of the illness. Treatment for breast cancer depends on cancer’s stage when it’s discovered. Many persons undergoing cancer treatment benefit from establishing contact with a cancer support group, oncological social worker, or therapist.
Breast Cancer Screening
If breast cancer is detected early with the use of a mammogram, it can be treated successfully. Early detection is crucial and could lead to more treatment options being available. A yearly mammogram is recommended for women 45 to 54 years old who have a moderate risk of developing breast cancer.
Screening should begin even earlier, at age 40, for women with an increased risk of breast cancer due to factors like a personal or family history of the disease or carrying the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. It is important to be prepared in the event that your mammogram reveals that you have thick breasts, which can conceal cancer. If the technician feels your breasts, she can tell you if they are thick or not.
