FOX Anchor Shares Breast Cancer Diagnosis On-Air
- FOX 35 anchor Amy Kaufeldt shares with viewers that she has breast cancer and that it was caught early, so her prognosis is good.
- She will take a few weeks off in June to have surgery for treatment.
- Kaufeldt wants other women to advocate for their health and speak up when something is off; her initial mammogram missed the tumor.
The Good Day Orlando co-host, 51, says, of her cancer diagnosis, "I am nervous, but I am keeping a positive attitude and putting my faith in God and my doctors."
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Amy Kaufeldt’s Mammogram & Screening for Breast Cancer
Amy Kaufeldt’s initial mammogram missed her breast cancer tumor. It's important to undergo regular screenings for breast cancer, as Amy Kaufeldt did. The current guidelines from the American Cancer Society (ACS) say that women aged 45 to 54 with a regular risk of breast cancer should get mammograms annually.
For women with an elevated risk of breast cancer (who have a family history of the disease or carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation), you should begin screening before age 45. Speak with family members about your family cancer history it could save your life. Performing self-exams in the shower or at home is another good way to stay on top of breast cancer screenings; these should be done in addition to not in place of mammograms.
Related: Getting to Know Your Breasts with Self-Exams
Breast cancer is screened for via mammogram, which looks for lumps in the breast tissue and other signs of existing cancer, or cancer in its earliest stages. If a worrisome lump is detected, your radiologist or doctor will advise you on the next steps, which typically include a breast biopsy.
When Should I Get a Mammogram?
Advocating for Your Health
Kaufeldt wants women to speak up for their health when something is off. And our experts agree. A Cedars-Sinai expert and advisor to SurvivorNet encourages his patients to lead each doctor’s appointment with a plan.
He says in an earlier interview, “That’s why it’s important for you to actually educate yourself and be your own health care advocate. And that’s something that I think is really important. You should lead each doctor’s appointment with a plan.”
Never be afraid to speak up or push back. If needed, get a second, third, or fourth opinion. Your health is too critical to leave it up to someone else.
The anchor says that in spite of everything she is staying positive and grateful. She says, "I am extremely grateful for the support of my family, friends and work family. And I know, I will get through this as millions of brave women have done before me.”
She also reminds viewers to perform self-exams regularly, and to ask about dense breast tissue, which she has.
Be Pushy, Be Your Own Advocate… Don't Settle
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
