Katie Couric is feeling healthy and very fortunate with regards to her battle with breast cancer.
The TV news anchor spoke with ET at the Project ALS 25th Anniversary gala celebration on Thursday, held at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, and shared an update on her health.
“I am really fortunate, and I am a walking example of how important early detection is,” Couric shared. “There are a lot of people out there who I know are dealing with breast, cancer and they’re really in a lot of pain, or their suffering, their anxious or worried, and my heart goes out to those people.”
Couric — who first revealed the news of her breast cancer diagnosis in September 2022 — explained that she was “was extremely fortunate that my cancer was detected at a very early stage, when it’s the most treatable.”
“And that is why I’m the screen queen,” Couric added. “I have always said you have to get screened for all kinds of cancer — including colon cancer. Because that’s when you can you can put it in your rear view mirror.”
“So, I’m feeling really, really well,” she added with a smile.
In September, Couric shared that following a mammogram and ultrasound on her breast, the doctor informed her that she had stage 1A cancer.
The veteran news anchor revealed that she underwent a lumpectomy, followed by radiation and would have to take medicine for five years. However, since it was detected early, there was a low chance the cancer would return and she would not have to undergo chemotherapy.
Amid her own health journey, Couric made time to show her support for Project ALS at Thursday’s black tie gala, and she also opened up about why the cause was so important to her.
“These diseases are incredibly complex and you have to celebrate every step, inch by inch,” Couric said of the strides Project ALS has made in helping combat the devastating disease.
“There are so many important causes, and you just have to keep screaming about them till you’re blue in the face,” Couric shared, “because people have busy lives, they go about their business, and they have to remember that they’re blessed by the grace of God.”
Addressing the monumental and successful fundraising efforts of Project ALS, Couric shared, “The government can’t take care of everything and they can’t support all the science that needs to be done. That’s where the private sector and just normal every day people that care about helping their fellow man — who perhaps have had a loved one diagnosed with this disease — we all have to come together and support the science that will ultimately, one day, fingers crossed, deliver a cure.”
Those interested can find out more about Project ALS here.
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