Former Today Show anchor Katie Couric has gone public with her breast cancer diagnosis. The 65-year-old Couric posted on social media Wednesday, sharing that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in June: “Every two minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. On June 21st, I became one of them. As we approach #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth, I wanted to share my personal story with you all and encourage you to get screened and understand that you may fall into a category of women who needs more than a mammogram. Head to the link in my bio or katiecouric.com to read my essay.”
In an essay on her website, Couric detailed that she had a mammogram June 20 after missing the routine checkup in 2021. Her doctor took a biopsy and informed Couric the next day that the test showed cancer. Said Couric: “I felt sick and the room started to spin. I was in the middle of an open office, so I walked to a corner and spoke quietly, my mouth unable to keep up with the questions swirling in my head.” Couric’s first husband, Jay Monahan, died from colon cancer at age 42 in 1998 Her sister, Emily Couric, died from pancreatic cancer at age 54 in 2001, and her mother and father both have a history with cancer.
Couric had surgery to remove an olive-sized tumor in July and began radiation treatments Sept. 7; she just completed her final round of radiation this week. She will also take an aromatase inhibitor for five years. Couric ended her post urging others to take care of their health: “Please get your annual mammogram. I was six months late this time. I shudder to think what might have happened if I had put if off longer. But just as importantly, please find out if you need additional screening.”
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