Anastacia, 56, ‘betrayed by medicine’ after cancer diagnosis as popstar hits out at modern-day doctors: ‘Why toss aside!’
Pop star Anastacia has revealed she felt “so betrayed by medicine” when diagnosed with breast cancer, criticising how doctors approach women’s health issues.
The 56-year-old singer, who has battled breast cancer twice, expressed her frustration during an appearance on the Turning Points podcast with Lulu.
Her comments highlighted her concerns about medical professionals’ approach to women’s health, particularly regarding breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The Left Outside Alone hitmaker underwent treatment for the disease in 2003 and later opted for a double mastectomy when it returned in 2013.
Speaking on the podcast, Anastacia questioned why doctors focus primarily on genetic factors when assessing breast cancer risk.
“When I hear the stats of women with breast cancer, 70 percent of those women with breast cancer is not genetic so why ask me and then toss it aside when the smaller amount of breast cancer is genetic and the bigger amount is unknown?” she said.
She expressed frustration that medical professionals couldn’t provide clear guidance on prevention.
“We can’t tell you that it’s food, we can’t tell you that it’s air, we can’t tell you that it’s stress,” she recalled doctors telling her.
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Anastacia’s cancer journey began in 2003 when she discovered she had breast cancer during a routine mammogram before breast-reduction surgery.
After treatment and receiving the all-clear, the disease returned a decade later in 2013. Following her second diagnosis, the singer opted for a double mastectomy.
Throughout her health struggles, Anastacia has also dealt with other medical conditions, including Crohn’s disease, which she was diagnosed with at age 13, and supraventricular tachycardia.
Despite these challenges, she has continued her music career while becoming an advocate for breast cancer awareness.
Anastacia revealed that her first cancer diagnosis was leaked to the media before she could inform loved ones. “It was released the day that I found out. It was leaked,” she told Lulu on the podcast.
The singer was shocked by the situation, saying: “I was like – what do you mean a statement, is that real? Do people give statements? I thought that was a joke.”
This meant she couldn’t personally tell friends like Elton John about her diagnosis.
“Before I was able to tell Elton or tell my friends, or tell anyone… they were going with it,” she added.
Following her cancer experiences, Anastacia established the Anastacia Fund in partnership with Estée Lauder to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of mammograms for women under 35.
Her decade-long charitable efforts were recognised when she became only the second woman to receive the Humanitarian Award at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in 2013.
The singer has expressed particular concern that women under 40 are not generally targeted for screenings unless there is a family history of breast cancer.
She has been vocal about how a mammogram helped save her own life.
Anastacia continues to use her platform to speak openly about her experiences, turning her health challenges into advocacy work.
“I’m going to talk about it,” she declared on the podcast, emphasising her determination to raise awareness.
Through her fund and public appearances, she works to ensure younger women understand the importance of early detection.
Her personal journey from diagnosis to advocacy exemplifies her resilience in the face of health challenges.
The singer’s outspoken criticism of medical approaches highlights the need for greater awareness and improved communication regarding women’s health issues.