WATCH: Fran Drescher On Taking Control Of Your Own Health

It took TV star Fran Drescher two years after first displaying symptoms to be properly diagnosed with uterine cancer. Before that, without getting the appropriate diagnostic tests from her physician, she was told that she had a peri-menopausal condition -- eight doctors later, she finally got the truth.

“After I went on my book tour, I realized that what happened to me had happened to so many women like me,” she writes on her website Cancer Schmancer (the same name as her 2002 book chronicling her journey to becoming a survivor). "And so it was then I realized the book was not the end but rather the beginning of a life mission to improve women's healthcare in America."

One way to do this is for women to advocate for their own healh, says the former "The Nanny" actress -- early detection dramatically increases survival rates. We check our hair, makeup and weight on a near-daily basis, but, "Honey when was the last time you checked your health?" Drescher asks. "Take control of your body and say 'Cancer, Schmancer.'"

Check out her tips for prevention, here, which she shared with AOL's "You've Got" producer Kim Peeler.

Watch:

Comments

[demilieu]

03:48 PM on 05/24/2011

She looks great for 54 or so.

[Bluesky555]

08:56 AM on 05/24/2011

I would LOVE to take control of my own health.... I would LOVE to demand a new doctor when one is not hearing me or dismissing my health concerns. I'd love to get a second opinion, a third opinion, and demand tests be done for a conclusive diagnosis. I'd love to get check-ups from head to toe every year or two, to catch anything early and avoid even worse symptoms and more expensive treatments down the road.
But see, I'm 54 yrs old, I've worked several different jobs (26 yrs worth) in my adult life, some of them even in the medical field... but I've NEVER had health insurance coverage; not once - for any length of time! This didn't bother me so much when I was in my 20's and 30's, but here I am now in my 50's and health issues are arising every year; some minor, some not so minor...
To be healthy in America one needs to be Wealthy in America.

[purenergy]

10:44 AM on 05/23/2011

Love her, such a positive loving woman. Glad you are healed and still with us.

[50PlusSam]

01:52 AM on 05/22/2011

She looks million dollar! What a spirit!
Yes, we need to take responsibility for ourselves, our bodies and our health.
http://www.lifestyle-after50.com/health.html

[jf12]

05:07 PM on 05/21/2011

All good advice. Let's all, men and women, take control of our health care and our health care payments. How much money did the erroneous doctors, who did wrong, give back to Ms. Drescher?

[ncyim]

04:44 PM on 05/21/2011

Fran Drescher rocks!!

[sabelmouse]

10:48 AM on 05/21/2011

i LOVE fran drescher.

[weblore]

01:45 AM on 05/21/2011

Fran Drescher is one amazing woman!