Janice Dickinson diagnosed with breast cancer: ‘Don’t feel sorry for me, this is not a pity party’

Janice Dickinson has been diagnosed with breast cancer and has every intention of beating it.

The former “America’s Next Top Model” judge revealed Monday that doctors found a pea-sized lump in her right breast during a routine exam and had it biopsied, she said in an interview with the Daily Mail Online.

The results came back positive on March 12 and doctors diagnosed her with ductal carcinoma in situ, a common form of non-invasive breast cancer that begins in the breast’s milk ducts. It is considered the earliest form of breast cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic, and can be effectively treated.

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About 60,000 cases of DCIS are diagnosed in the United States each year, accounting for about 1 out of every 5 new breast cancer cases, according to the American Cancer Society.

“It’s still quite shocking. You know, I’ve had plastic surgery and I’ve had breast implants and I’ve always been very vocal of what I’ve done, because I tell the truth about everything. As I am right now,” she said.

The 61-year-old mother of two said that doctors caught the disease early and have ruled out a mastectomy at this stage, which was a “huge relief” to the self-proclaimed world’s first supermodel. She is set to undergo surgery in the next few days, radiation therapy and will be put on medication, but her chances of survival are good, she said.

Though the reality star, who has previously battled anorexia, bulimia and alcoholism, said she was “very scared,” she’s trying to keep a positive outlook.

“We’re gonna get there, we’re gonna all get there together. I’m going to tell my truth. I’m doing this for women, I really want for this experience [to be] for women of all ages,” she said.”Have regular breast examinations please. Girls past 30 it’s very important. I’m here for women all over the world, women are to be cherished, mothers, daughters, sisters, you must remind yourself.’

She also urged women to stay away from sweeteners and to kick that smoking habit.

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“Now I’m gonna have to roll up my sleeves and start to work for breast cancer and breast cancer awareness,” she said. “Don’t feel sorry for me, this is not a pity party. I’m Janice Dickinson and I’m gonna stick around for a long, long time. You ain’t getting rid of me yet.”

In 2014, Dickinson accused Bill Cosby of sex assault; Cosby has denied wrongdoing. The former model is currently suing the comedian for defamation, one of several lawsuits filed by women accusing Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting them.

The former model is currently engaged to psychiatrist Robert “Rocky” Gerner and they plan to wed this summer. Dickinson also plans to chronicle her medical journey on the syndicated daytime series “The Doctors,” which will air the first installment of her story on April 6.

Twitter: @NardineSaad

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