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"A friend was diagnosed [with the disease] and I wanted to learn more about early detection," she told PEOPLE at the Electrolux-sponsored fund-raiser. "It's my mission to get the word out."
Ripa also took the opportunity to praise Christina Applegate, who has been public about her battle with breast cancer and recent double mastectomy.
"It takes a lot of courage to come forward and help other women and to get ahead of [the disease] like that," Ripa said of the Samantha Who? star. "It really made me call my doctor to get tested."
– Liz McNeil
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JOSH & FERGIE: ROCKED BY SCANDAL
Did he cheat with a stripper?
Married less than a year, the couple denies an Atlanta woman’s claims that she and Josh had a fling
Note that this week’s cover of PEOPLE may differ regionally
