Former NBC Today show co-host Katie Couric says she has breast cancer
Katie Couric, 65, a former co-anchor of NBC's Today show was diagnosed with breast cancer on her wedding aniversary.
Wednesday 28 September 2022 15:50, UK
The former co-host of NBC's Today show, Katie Couric, says that she has breast cancer and has urged other women to make sure they get scanned regularly.
Couric, 65, announced on social media on Wednesday that she has been having cancer treatment after it was diagnosed on the eighth anniversary of her wedding to John Molner.
She had been married to Jay Monahan until he died from colon cancer in 1998, at the age of 42.
On an Instagram post to her 1.5m followers, Couric also encouraged everyone "to get screened". She wrote: "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 Breast Cancer Awareness Month 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."
In an essay on her website, Couric describes the moment she learnt of her diagnosis.
She said: "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.
"My mood quickly shifted from disbelief to resignation. Given my family's history of cancer, why would I be spared? My reaction went from 'Why me?' to 'Why not me?'"
Couric had an operation on 14 July this year and started radiotherapy on 7 September.
She added: "Please get your annual mammogram. I was six months late this time. I shudder to think what might have happened if I had put it off longer. But just as importantly, please find out if you need additional screening."