WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 29, 2014) — Friends since 1988, Sheryl Crow and Melissa Etheridge have endured their share of hardships—bad breakups, depression and for Etheridge, the anxiety around coming out sexually. But they fought their toughest battle when, within two years of each other, Crow and Etheridge each received a breast cancer diagnosis, shaking their worlds to the core. Through sheer determination and perseverance, they came out the other side. Now healthy and happy, the two survivors sat down with AARP The Magazine to discuss what they’ve learned and how they’ve each found a renewed sense of self.

A free download of Melissa Etheridge’s single “I Won’t Be Alone Tonight” from her upcoming album, This Is M.E., is also available until December 30, 2014 by visiting www.aarp.org/MelissaEtheridgeSong. This Is M.E. will hit stores on September 30^th.

The following are excerpts from the October/November issue of the AARP The Magazine cover story featuring Sheryl Crow and Melissa Etheridge available in homes today and online NOW atwww.aarp.org/magazine.

Sheryl Crow:

On finding out that she had breast cancer:

“That was a really, really emotional time for me. My world was falling apart. I felt like the bottom had just dropped out.”

On the irony that her breast cancer diagnosis came on the heels of her breakup with Lance Armstrong:

“He was probably the most widely known cancer survivor, right? It was kind of a cruel joke.”

On giving herself permission to let go:

“I’ve been a person who fixes things but when you’re constantly fixing things for others, you sacrifice yourself.”

On her newfound success after her hit maker “Strong Enough”:

“I was 32. I didn’t care about fame, but the next thing you know, people are dressing you and writing about you. You have to be sensitive enough to have insight into the human condition to write long-lasting music, yet you have to form this tough skin. It took me a while to back away from that aspect of popularity and focus on the work.”

On first starting her music career:

“Every record label in L.A. turned me down. It was, ‘We don’t know what to do with a blue-eyed soul singer.’”

On achieving happiness:

“It took having cancer for me to realize that happiness is something I have to cultivate in myself.”

How Sheryl Crow Beat Cancer:

• No Blame: “You can’t say, ‘I did this, and that’s why I got cancer.’ You have to not beat yourself up.”
• Get Tested: “I recommend regular mammograms, and if I knew I had the BRCA2 gene in my family, I’d want the test. You can make better decisions if you know.”
• Self First: “Women have bodies designed to sustain life, but we don’t allow ourselves to be nurtured. Cancer taught me to put myself first.”
• No Junk: “I try to eat local, organic and in season whenever I can.”
• Have Fun: “I used to work out, but now, with my kids, we’re on the trampoline. We swim. We ride horses.”
• Take Zen: “The body functions at a higher level cellularly when you’re relaxed. I now do mindful meditation.”

Melissa Etheridge:

On her experience dating men and the song “Cold As Ice”:

“That’s what my last boyfriend said to me. I was 15. He didn’t understand why I was cold as ice. Whenever I hear that song now I think, “I’m not cold; I’m just gay.’”

On finally deciding to “come out”:

“[My father] was fine with [my sexuality], and he just wanted me to be happy. His passing propelled me into this place of needing to be who I am, because I wasn’t going to be happy any other way.”

How she feels about having lived her life in the public eye:

“If I could have, I would have chosen not to go through cancer or my divorces in public. Yet you can’t say, ‘I’m only going to let the public see the good stuff.’ Whenever I sit down with someone, I need to know that I’m not hiding anything.”

On sex after 50:

“The sex is better! Seriously, I’m healthier and in loving myself I attract a different kind of person now.”

On first discovering a lump in her breast:

“I was like, ‘Whoa!’ And it was large! That little voice in the back of my head started going, ‘Is it cancer? Your father died of cancer. Your aunt died of cancer. Your grandmother died of cancer. Your mother had cancer. Your cousin. Cancer. Cancer.’ You can’t quiet the voice.”

On beginning her breast cancer journey:

“My radiologist, bless her heart, sat me down in a darkened room. She said, ‘Melissa, I want you to know that this is the worst that can happen.’ She unbuttoned her blouse and showed me her double mastectomy. She said, ‘Do not fear. You are going to be OK.’ So I started my journey with that base of ‘I’m not going to die. I just have to walk through this.’”

On how she stands up to cancer:

“I’m not a victim. I am taking responsibility for it.”

How Melissa Etheridge Beat Cancer:

• Take Charge: “This was of my own doing, and I take responsibility. When I got my body back into balance, the cancer disappeared."
• To Test or Not: “I have the BRCA2 gene but I don’t encourage women to get tested. Genes can be turned on or off. I turned my gene on with my very poor diet.”
• Diet Balance: “Our bodies are batteries. We need 70 percent alkaline and 30 percent acid to run optimally. Sugar is the worst, then red meat, dairy, wheat and gluten.”
• Up and at ‘Em: “I take Pilates, yoga and kickboxing. I go for hikes or a walk. You just have to move every day.”
• Cooling Your Jets: “Stress is a formula for cancer. If you’re running on the edge and your fuel tank is empty, you’re at risk. Your personal environment is your responsibility.”

For the complete interview, along with behind the scenes video, check out http://www.aarp.org/magazine/.

About AARP The Magazine

With more than 35.2 million readers, AARP The Magazine is the world's largest circulation magazine and the definitive lifestyle publication for Americans 50+. AARP The Magazine delivers comprehensive content through health and fitness features, financial guidance, consumer interest information and tips, celebrity interviews, and book and movie reviews. AARP The Magazine was founded in 1958 and is published bimonthly in print and continually online. Learn more at www.aarpmagazine.org.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org;AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

Media Contacts:

Carla Clunis, Coburn Communication, 646.633.4971, carla.clunis@coburnww.com  

Paola Torres, AARP, 202.434.2555, ptorres@aarp.org