Autumn
05-18-2005, 02:00 PM
By Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY
Melissa Etheridge's earthy rock songs may be far removed from the kind of dance-pop that is Kylie Minogue's forte. But having recently battled breast cancer herself, the American singer/songwriter has a special empathy for the Australian star. (Related story: Minogue delays tour)
"I always hate to see it happen to such a young person," says Etheridge, 43, who was diagnosed with the disease in October and like Minogue was forced to put off live dates (though not an entire tour). "I consider myself young. But it seems to be showing up in younger and younger women, which is devastating."
Etheridge says Minogue, 36, should know that her cancer can be "completely beatable" and provide a valuable learning experience. "I looked at my cancer as a kind of gift, a Drano for the soul. I cleaned out all the unnecessary toxins, literally and figuratively."
Indeed, having a lumpectomy and chemotherapy led Etheridge, now cancer-free, to a new philosophy on life: "It's all about attitude and nutrition."
She adopted a diet heavy on fresh fruits and vegetables and light on acidic and processed foods. "I'm now eating foods that are close to the earth, as organic as possible, with protein that's low in hormones. I learned to dialogue with my body, to focus on keeping it healthy instead of having to look a certain way. I've never had more energy."
Etheridge says the growing incidences of breast cancer among younger women could be partly linked to the kind of bad habits she learned to break. "Our Western nutritional trends are horrendous," she says. "My generation, who were kids in the '60s and '70s, grew up with white bread and processed lunch meat. We're turning our bodies against ourselves."
Me again: I love the last line, "We're turning our bodies against ourselves." That about sums up SAD!
Melissa Etheridge's earthy rock songs may be far removed from the kind of dance-pop that is Kylie Minogue's forte. But having recently battled breast cancer herself, the American singer/songwriter has a special empathy for the Australian star. (Related story: Minogue delays tour)
"I always hate to see it happen to such a young person," says Etheridge, 43, who was diagnosed with the disease in October and like Minogue was forced to put off live dates (though not an entire tour). "I consider myself young. But it seems to be showing up in younger and younger women, which is devastating."
Etheridge says Minogue, 36, should know that her cancer can be "completely beatable" and provide a valuable learning experience. "I looked at my cancer as a kind of gift, a Drano for the soul. I cleaned out all the unnecessary toxins, literally and figuratively."
Indeed, having a lumpectomy and chemotherapy led Etheridge, now cancer-free, to a new philosophy on life: "It's all about attitude and nutrition."
She adopted a diet heavy on fresh fruits and vegetables and light on acidic and processed foods. "I'm now eating foods that are close to the earth, as organic as possible, with protein that's low in hormones. I learned to dialogue with my body, to focus on keeping it healthy instead of having to look a certain way. I've never had more energy."
Etheridge says the growing incidences of breast cancer among younger women could be partly linked to the kind of bad habits she learned to break. "Our Western nutritional trends are horrendous," she says. "My generation, who were kids in the '60s and '70s, grew up with white bread and processed lunch meat. We're turning our bodies against ourselves."
Me again: I love the last line, "We're turning our bodies against ourselves." That about sums up SAD!