Robach Stays Healthy & Focuses on Fitness
- Good Morning America's Amy Robach has been in remission from breast cancer for seven years.
- She was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive breast cancer in 2013 at age 40. She says fitness is a key part of her routine to stay healthy.
- Mammograms save lives; if you’re a woman aged 45 to 54, be sure to get annual mammograms to screen for breast cancer.
This week, Robach shared a video on her Instagram which showed her running abilities, and she reflected on how physical activity is a great way to cope with stressors. She writes, “Not gonna lie today was a STRUGGLE – training said to do 9 miles – my body stopped at 7 miles – so much emotion in me with my oldest moving out in a week for college, fatigue from my travels and early mornings at work…”
Read MoreView this post on InstagramShe continues, “…had a little cry during the run and I always feel better after a little release like that – physical movement even when it's uncomfortable can so often push out that pent up stress! Not saying it's fun, but I DO feel better now.”
Fans were quick to comfort Robach. “I totally understand and have been there myself. You are a true inspiration Amy,” wrote @ruthspecialpics. “Glad you're feeling better! Amy, you push yourself every day. I'm happy you worked it out. Best of luck to your college girl!,” wrote @leslie.seremak.
Robach’s Cancer Journey
Amy Robach was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive breast cancer in 2013. She had no history of cancer in her family, and she was relatively young to be fighting this disease; Robach was 40 at the time of her diagnosis.
It was thanks to an on-air mammogram for a Good Morning America awareness campaign that revealed tumors in her breast. Following the tumor detection, Robach immediately started treatment. She had a bilateral mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy.
A mastectomy is the surgical removal of the breast. It may be the full or partial removal of one or both breasts as a way to remove cancer from that region of the body. Some women have preventative mastectomies if they’re at a high risk of being diagnosed. For instance, if breast cancer runs in their family, or if they carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
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Screening for Breast Cancer
Mammograms, like the one Robach had on-air, are used to detect lumps in the breast and signs of breast cancer. Current guidelines say that women aged 45 to 54 with an average risk of the disease (meaning, no family history of breast cancer) should screen once a year. Women with a family history of breast cancer should start screening earlier than 45.
Related: When You're Getting a Mammogram, Ask About Dense Breasts
In an earlier interview, Dr. Connie Lehman, the Chief of Breast Imaging Division at Massachusetts General Hospital, emphasizes the importance of mammograms. She says, “If you haven’t gone through menopause yet, I think it’s very important that you have a mammogram every year.”
“We know that cancers grow more rapidly in our younger patients, and having that annual mammogram can be lifesaving,” says Dr. Lehman. “After menopause, it may be perfectly acceptable to reduce that frequency to every two years.”
She continues, “But what I’m most concerned about is the women who haven’t been in for a mammogram for two, three, or four years, those women that have never had a mammogram. We all agree regular screening mammography saves lives.”
When Should I Get a Mammogram?
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