Former Good Morning America journalist Amy Robach famously learned that she was dealing with breast cancer after receiving a mammogram on the air. Over a decade later, Robach opened up about the story. In particular, she opened up about what she learned and what she hoped to impart to other women.
Amy Robach Opened Up About The Story During A Recent Podcast Appearance
Robach is a journalist previously known for her work with ABC News. This included serving as an anchor for Good Morning America and 20/20.
Prior to this, Robach worked for NBC News. This included serving as a co-host of Today‘s Saturday edition and an anchor on MSNBC.
Robach recently appeared on the SHE MD podcast, where she reflected on her health, as well as a dangerous breast cancer myth that she believed. She shared, “I did not think cancer could happen to me.” At the time, Robach shared that she felt “invincible” because breast cancer didn’t run in her family.
Over a decade earlier, Robach nearly rejected a GMA assignment that would ultimately save her life. In October 2013, she was asked to receive her first mammogram in a van at Times Square during a live broadcast. Beforehand, Robach thought that women could wait until 50 to start screening if they didn’t have a family history of the disease.
Robach recalled thinking, “There’s no way I’m doing that. I’m not going to get a mammogram 10 years before I’m supposed to, for television purposes.” GMA alum and breast cancer survivor Robin Roberts convinced her to reconsider, sharing that this belief made her exactly the type of woman who needed a public screening.
Robach agreed but felt that she would only do this to encourage other women to make similar appointments. Ultimately, she shared, “I had no idea that I was actually going to be saving my own life.”
The Former Good Morning America Journalist Shared That She Now Appreciates Each Birthday
When technicians began to call her about something suspicious, Robach initially ignored the calls and waited nearly a month to continue the process. Learning that she had a lump in her right breast, she shared, “I sobbed. I heaved. I actually had a full-on panic attack. That’s how much I didn’t believe breast cancer could happen to me.”
Robach was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. She ultimately underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and breast reconstruction. However, she shared that cancer remained a part of her life even after treatment.
![Amy Robach [Source: YouTube]](https://b4149563.smushcdn.com/4149563/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Amy-Robach-First-Public-Appearance-Since-GMA-Firing.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1)
Calling it a “lifetime diagnosis,” Robach shared, “Once you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, that cancer stays with you mentally. Even if physically, you have it cut out, the treatment and all the doctors tell you, ‘You are cancer-free. You are in remission,’ it never leaves you.”
Robach continued, “You have to manage concern and worry. You have to learn how to be brave in a way that you didn’t know you could.” Ultimately, she mused, “You don’t feel like celebrating because there are new emotions.”
However, Robach, who has since partnered with Novartis and its Breast Cancer Unscripted campaign, expressed gratitude over what happened. She shared, “I celebrate every birthday in a way I never had before. It’s a blessing to be growing older, is it not?”
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John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.
