As the video indicates, six weeks ago, Good Morning America’s Amy Robach participated in a segment for the ABC morning show, that involved her getting a mammogram on the air as part of the series’ October Pink initiative. Robach may have intended to set a good example for other women out there who are putting off their own mammograms, but as she announced today, her results came back positive. She’s been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Via EW, the above video recaps Robach’s initial segment, during which she admitted that at 40, “I’m the age, and I’ve been putting it off.” We see footage and photos of her getting the test done, after which the segment shifts to a follow-up, which explains that Robach was asked to come in for more scans, and then more tests. And then she was diagnosed.
As Robach says, she was encouraged to do it by Robin Roberts. Though the outcome is unfortunate, as they say, early detection is key. And she closes the segment with these words:
“Robin’s words still echo inside of me: ‘If I got the mammogram on-air and saved one life, then it’s all worth it,’ she had said. It never occurred to me that life would be mine.”
As unfortunate as her situation is, it’s admirable of her to share the examination and then the follow-up and diagnosis so publicly, which will hopefully allow her story to inspire other women to get annual mammograms if they’re beyond a certain age or have a family history. On a more personal note, I can attest that getting a mammogram is awkward and not exactly comfortable, but as Robach implies in the segment, it doesn’t really hurt. In my own personal experience, I’d describe it as being about on par with other female-focused physical examinations in that it’s not fun and you just want it to be over fast, which it typically is. Either way, it’s worth doing if you’re at risk, as it’s better to know one way or the other, and preferably sooner rather than later.
New York Daily News says she’s taking an aggressive approach in planning a double-mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Beyond that, she doesn’t know about chemo or what stage she’s at. “I don’t know if it has spread,” Robach said, but she expects to find out those things in the weeks to come.
Our thoughts go out to Robach and her family as they deal with this diagnosis and whatever treatment will follow. Stay strong and get well soon!
