‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Kate Walsh, 57, Advocates For Cancer Screening, Early Detection & Learning Family History After Both Parents Faced Diagnoses

“It was not detected early enough, and he succumbed, unfortunately, to cancer a year and a half later, quite young,” Walsh told Business and America of her father’s diagnosis. “He was just three days short of his 61st birthday.”

Walsh’s father was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer. One of the most worrisome parts of lung cancer is its lack of symptoms until the cancer has already progressed to an advanced stage and spread to other parts of the body, thoracic surgeon Dr. Joseph Friedberg tells SurvivorNet.

However, once a person suspected of having lung cancer experiences symptoms, their doctor can further investigate the cause with an X-ray to look for anything unusual, potentially catching it early and opening up more treatment options.

WATCH: How is lung cancer diagnosed?

Though lung cancer often does not present symptoms early on, some people may experience warning signs like:

• A cough that doesn’t go away, gets worse, or brings up bloody phlegm
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Hoarse voice
• Appetite loss
• Weight loss

Walsh’s mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 62.

“They caught it early enough that she had a double mastectomy where she was able to live cancer-free for another 30 years. We were very fortunate,” Walsh said.

A double mastectomy is the surgical procedure to remove both breasts.

When a woman decides to have a mastectomy, several factors go into that decision. Among things to consider is whether to have breast-conserving surgery such as a lumpectomy instead. These decisions should be made alongside your doctor by openly and candidly discussing the risks vs. benefits of the different procedures.

“To see these multi-cancer early detection tests with a blood draw that can screen for so many different types of cancers, even the most deadly cancers… is a great thing to investigate in conjunction with those other screenings because we know early detection gives you more options for treatment,” Walsh said of her advocacy for cancer screening and awareness.

Walsh’s Cancer Scare & Brain Tumor Diagnosis

Walsh had a cancer scare of her own in 2015. She began experiencing subtle symptoms of increased fatigue.

“I was just exhausted, and then I got more and more tired,” Walsh explained.

Walsh initially thought she was just burned out amid her busy lifestyle, having just finished filming a television show. However, as symptoms persisted, she went to see her doctor, who performed an MRI, which revealed a tumor.

“Lo and behold, I had a pretty sizable tumor in there. So, three days later, I was in surgery and had it out, and thankfully, they were able to get all of it, and it was benign (meaning it was noncancerous),” Walsh said.

Walsh’s tumor was a meningioma, which is a growth that is often noncancerous. It takes root in the meninges, a membrane protecting the brain and spinal cord.

WATCH: See how one cancer warrior dealt with a brain tumor.

Due to the rapid growth rate of meningiomas, these changes can be subtle over time.

Brain tumors may cause a variety of symptoms, which include:

• Headaches
• Intense head pressure
• Seizures
• Nausea and vomiting
• Vision problems

Treatment options for brain cancer depend on a variety of factors, including the size and type of the tumor as well as the grade of the tumor.

Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are options doctors might recommend. Cancer warriors are encouraged to consult with their doctor to learn about their specific situation and the treatment options that are best suited for them.

Walsh On Advocating For Cancer Screening

When Walsh’s mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, the actress was just 28 years old. Knowing her family history involves cancer; she pushed to get screened.

“I had to really advocate and really fight to [get] my mammogram and ultrasound because of my mother’s [history],” Walsh said.

Sometimes, it’s incumbent on the individual to push for cancer screening, especially if their age is outside the recommended screening window. Most average-risk women are not recommended to begin getting mammograms until they are 40 or even 45 years old.

A mammogram is a standard breast cancer screening that examines breast tissue for signs of cancer.

WATCH: Mammograms are still the best tool for detecting breast cancer.

The medical community has a broad consensus that women have annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54. However, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is saying that women should now start getting mammograms every other year at the age of 40, suggesting that this lowered the age for breast cancer screening could save 19% more lives.

The American Cancer Society recommends getting a mammogram every other year for women 55 and older. However, women in this age group who want added reassurance can still get annual mammograms.

Women with a strong family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, such as a BRCA gene mutation, or a medical history, including chest radiation therapy before the age of 30, are considered at higher risk for breast cancer.

WATCH: How testing for BRCA in breast cancer works.

Experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.

How Can I Manage Mammogram Anxiety?

It’s common to feel anxious while awaiting mammogram results. This feeling is often called mammogram anxiety.

If you are awaiting test results and your nerves are running rampant, try doing something that relaxes you, such as exercising or listening to your favorite music. Breathing exercises and meditation can also help you relax.

SurvivorNet has more resources to help you manage your mental health while awaiting test results.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

---