Christina Applegate on cancer scare

Christina Applegate speaks candidly on cancer and reveals she 'lost it' on meeting surgeon

Christina Applegate has spoken candidly on her battle with breast cancer, in an emotional interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Speaking out to raise awareness during Breast Cancer month, the actress described her decision to have a double mastectomy, and how she first 'lost it' when she met the surgeon who would remove her breasts.

'When I met with my doctor and I told him that was my decision and he brought the surgeon in and it was like the flood gates just opened up and I – I lost it,' Applegate described to Winfrey.

Although cancer was only detected in one of her breasts, the actress chose to have the double masectomy in an attempt to diminish the risk of the cancer returning.

During the heartfelt interview, Applegate also opened up on the shock of her diagnosis, which was given to her over the phone by her docor. She described, 'And I just – like right now I'm sitting here shaking remembering that moment. As you guys know, you don't think it's gonna happen to me.'

The diagnosis may have initally been a shock, but speaking of her mother who has fought breast cancer twice, Applegate added, 'She's had it twice and there was this part of me that sort of knew that the other shoe was going to drop.'