This week, Selena Gomez shocked the world when she publicly announced that she's battling lupus or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Gomez is the latest celebrity who opened up about having the chronic autoimmune disease. She also shared that she has undergone treatments to cope with the effects of the disease.
Selena Gomez, a 23-year-old singer-actress, slammed the widely-circulated speculation that she had an addiction problem. In her interview with Billboard magazine Oct. 17 issue, "The Heart Wants What It Wants" hitmaker revealed that she was hurt about the rumors and the truth is she's battling lupus.
"I was diagnosed with lupus, and I've been through chemotherapy. That's what my break was really about. I could've had a stroke," Gomez said, as per ABC News. "I wanted so badly to say, 'You guys have no idea. I'm in chemotherapy. You're assholes.' I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again."
So, will Selena Gomez's career end because of her lupus diagnosis? According to Lupus Foundation of America's medical scientific advisory council chair Dr. Gary Gilkeson, Gomez can still continue her career because treatments are now available to keep the serious disease under control.
"Her career is not over by any stretch of the imagination," Gilkeson said, USA Today quoted.
Now, Selena Gomez is back and better than ever. In fact, she will release her highly-anticipated album entitled, "Revival" today! E! News even learned that the "Good For You" singer has been channeling her frustrations and anger into music. She also added that her ex-lover Justin Bieber has nothing to do with the album.
"No," she said. "This is my time. I've deserved this. I earned it. This is all me."
Meanwhile, Selena Gomez is not the first celebrity who has been diagnosed with lupus. And listed below are the top 5 celebrities who also share the same ordeal with Gomez.
1. Nick Cannon
As previously reported, Mariah Carey's ex-husband Nick Cannon is also battling the disease since 2012. His life has also been threatened after he was hospitalized in July.
2. Lady Gaga
In 2010, Lady Gaga told Larry King that she tested "borderline positive" for lupus, Health.com revealed.
3. Toni Braxton
Women of color are two to three times more likely than white women to develop lupus, Lupus Foundation of America health educator Dawn Isherwood said. And Braxton, who was diagnosed with lupus in 2008, shared about lupus medication in November 2011.
"Lupus medication actually causes most women to gain weight," she tweeted. "But we're still fabulous! I'm going to work it on out."
4. Seal
The scars on the face of supermodel Heidi Klum's ex-husband are the result of discoid lupus erythematosus, a type of lupus involving only the skin. According to experts, discoid lupus typically causes sores on the face and scalp but can affect the skin anywhere on the body.
It can also cause hair loss. People with discoid lupus are often sensitive to ultraviolet light, and need to be careful about sun exposure.
5. Kristen Johnston
Famously known for her sitcom, "Third Rock From The Sun," Johnston was diagnosed with lupus myelitis in 2013, International Business Times noted. Her disease is a rare form of lupus in which the immune system attacks the spinal cord.
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