Morning TV Host Lara Spencer, 56, Is Celebrating Christmas With Resilient 85-Year-Old Mom, Two Years After Her Brain Tumor Battle

Fans replied by encouraging her to “hold her tight,” recognizing how precious it is to have our parents with us during the holidays.

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One fan commented, “You look like your mama. Hold into her tight Lara and cherish those memories. I lost my 95-year-old mom last February and I will miss her until my last day. Be well and Happy Holidays to you and yours.”

Another wrote, “Your Mom is so cute! I know you cherish your time together, it’s SO special!!”

“Priceless treasure. Happy Holidays to you and yours,” another said.

Her Mom’s Battle With Brain Cancer

On February 21, 2024, Spencer shared a celebratory post, featured a photo of her standing next to her mom and doctors, writing, “I am so happy to share that my mom has just finished treatment for a brain tumor and she is doing GREAT.

“Six weeks. 5 days a week. Both chemo and radiation–and not surprising at all, if you know my mom, she is still smiling. My friend Susan gave her a pair of socks that say it all—‘you picked the wrong bit*#, cancer!’”

The New York Times best-selling author added,, “Thank you to the amazing and compassionate team at Florida Cancer Specialists in Sarasota starting with Dr. Scott Lunin, and endless thanks to Dr. John Boockvar and the Brain Tumor team at Lenox Hospital in New York for your groundbreaking trial to get chemo past the blood brain barrier.

“My mom is proof positive your work is a game changer. Mom-your spirituality and belief that anything is possible are a masterclass in how to live. You are a fierce and fabulous warrior and I can’t wait to celebrate with you!!!!!”

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The heartening update comes after Spencer’s 2023 Thanksgiving post, in which she revealed her family had faced a “scary couple of months for her (and all of us).'”

According to Northwell Health, Spencer commended her mom’s doctor’s for their “incredible work, and their kindness and compassion,” during Lenox Hill Hospital Brain Tumor Center’s 10th Anniversary Gala in 2024.

At the time, Spencer shared that her mom was “doing really well” following her treatment.

She also explained that her mom’s diagnosis was glioblastoma, emphasizing that this form of brain cancer “does not have to be a death sentence.”

She added, “Knowing that my mom has not months, but years, is something. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to say thank you.”

Coping With Cancer During The Holidays

We can’t help but feel delighted to see Spencer with her beloved mom during the holiday season, but it’s important to remember that this time of year can certainly a complex for anyone coping with a cancer diagnosis.

Celebrations that once felt simple and joyful may now highlight the changes brought on by illness. Families often find themselves adjusting traditions, activities, and expectations to support the patient’s needs, resulting in a season that mixes warmth and challenge.

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“For cancer patients, losing one’s hair can be unbelievably stressful. To start with, the dread of losing one’s hair can lead to some sleepless nights and feelings of anxiety,” psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman previously told SurvivorNet.

RELATED: 7 Helpful Tips to Help Your Loved One Battling Cancer During the Holidays

Tips To Help You Cope

Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin founded Strong In Therapy Psychology. She shared some helpful tips for optimistic patients about the holiday season.

As a cancer patient, how do you navigate when your loved one wants to talk about your cancer? For loved ones, how do you know when the person with cancer wants to discuss their diagnosis or not?

“When talking to loved ones about your preferences and discussing your cancer journey during the holidays, it’s important that you be your authentic self,” Dr. Strongin says.

“So, rather than telling people exactly what you want, it’s important to share why you want that,” Strongin added.

“When we are our most authentic selves and disclose our true feelings, the people around us feel us. So, if you aren’t feeling comfortable talking about your cancer and you don’t want it to be a part of the holiday season, tell them why that is. Tell them why talking about it would be so distressing for you.”

People respond to a diagnosis in different ways. Some may wish to talk about it, while others prefer not to, and both choices deserve respect.

“For patients going through a difficult moment, it becomes a real lens into what’s happening for them because they can remember the holidays the year before or even the year before,” Dr. Strongin explains.

“It becomes a sense of reality when they know that this is going to be the year that’s marked by this (a cancer battle or diagnosis),” Strongin continued.

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Strongin encourages patients to seek moments of happiness as the holiday season unfolds. Embrace the time spent with loved ones and focus on activities that bring you joy.

“I really challenged (cancer patients) to kind of take this holiday as it is, to find the joy in it, to find ways to accept the reality of where they are in this time and space,” Strongin said.

RELATED: Beauty Advice to Help Women Battling Cancer Look Their Best for the Holidays.

Handling the ‘Cancer Conversation’ With Loved Ones

“People are uncomfortable around cancer, and there’s a lot of fear, ignorance, misunderstandings, and myths around it,” breast cancer survivor Diane Mapes told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.

Mapes noted that gaining a clearer understanding of patients’ experiences can help enhance communication with family and friends who want to offer support.

If you have family coming over for the holidays and you think you’re ready to discuss your cancer journey, SurvivorNet has put together a helpful guide of Do’s and Don’ts to make the conversation around the holiday table as meaningful and comforting as possible.

• • DO Acknowledge the Cancer.
    • You may not know what to say, but the worst thing you can say is…nothing. To start, put the choice of discussing their cancer in their own hands. “The best route is honesty,” says Jennifer Hughes, PhD, a psychologist with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and UT Physicians in Houston. “Simply say, ‘I don’t know what to say, but do you want to talk about it?’ It gives them the lead.”
  • DON’T Assume They Need Help.
    • Don’t assume that someone is going to be weak or sickly if they have cancer, because everyone responds differently,” says Mapes. “One of the things that surprised me about going through cancer treatment, for example, is how I was able to exercise throughout my treatment, and people would often remark that I looked so healthy and strong. Don’t just take over and assume they need things because that’s not fun, either. They mean well, but I used to fight people to do my own laundry!”
  • DO Be Specific When Offering Help.
    • Instead of saying, “Let me know if there’s anything I can do,” think of specific ways you can help and then offer to do them. The former “can feel like an empty promise, and it’s putting the burden on that individual to tell you what they need,” says Hughes. “Instead, try and think of something concrete: driving to an appointment, bringing casserole over, walking their dog.”
  • DO Your Research.
    • Educating yourself on the stage and type of your loved one’s cancer can help you avoid potentially awkward moments. “It’s important to know the difference between early and late-stage cancer,” says Mapes. “It’s not a good thing to say, ‘When are you going to be done with treatment?’ to someone with stage four cancer, for example, because the answer to that is, ‘Never.’ Educate yourself on the basics first.”
  • DO Keep Platitudes to Yourself.
    • You may believe that everything happens for a reason, but that can be grating for someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. “I think people are trying to be comforting, and that’s what that phrase is meant to do. But just remember that what’s comforting to you might not be comforting to others,” says Mapes. “And while we’re on the subject, let me share my personal pet peeve: When I was going through treatment, I got so sick of people saying, ‘Good luck on your journey, have a good journey.’ That was the lead metaphor at the time, and I can’t tell you how annoying it can be.”
  • DON’T Suggest the Latest Cure.
    • “Unless you’re an oncologist, and you’re a better oncologist than the one they already have, don’t preach to them about the latest treatment you’ve read about,” advises Mapes. “Comments like, ‘I knew someone who took shark cartilage or coffee enemas,’ or [sharing] conspiracy theories, are not helpful. Cancer is very complicated.”
  • DO Remember that We’re All the Same.
    • The best advice for helping a loved one with cancer is to remember that your friend or family member is the same person he or she always has been. “I haven’t acquired any superpowers since my diagnosis,” says Mapes. People who have cancer aren’t any braver or more noble than they were before. I’m the same person I always was, so treat me that way.”

Understanding Brain Tumors

It’s unclear what type of brain tumor Lara Spencer’s mom battled, but it’s helpful to understand that brain tumors account for 85-90% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). In 2025, the ASCO estimated that 24,820 adults (14,040 men and 10,780 women) in the United States would be diagnosed with primary cancerous tumors of the brain and spinal cord.

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord and acts as the main “processing center” for the body’s nervous system. The normal function of the brain and spinal cord can become difficult if there’s a tumor putting pressure on or spreading into normal tissue close by.

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There are many different types of brain and spinal cord tumors and some of which are more likely to spread into nearby parts of the brain or spinal cord than others. Slow-growing tumors may be considered benign, however, even these types of tumors can lead to serious problems.

Meanwhile, symptoms of brain tumors, as a whole, are usually caused by increased pressure in the skull. This pressure can stem from tumor growth, swelling in the brain, or blockage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the American Cancer Society explains.

General symptoms may include:

• • • Headache
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Blurred vision
    • Balance problems
    • Personality or behavior changes
    • Seizures
    • Drowsiness or even coma

Additionally, MD Anderson Cancer Center notes that changes in the ability to smell can also be a sign of brain tumors, and, more specifically, “strange smells” can be a symptom of seizures, which can result from brain tumors.

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It’s important to note that these symptoms are not exclusive to brain tumors. Still, you should always speak with your doctor if you’re experiencing any health problems.

Meanwhile, 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 use to treat brain tumors. Cancer warriors are encouraged to talk to their doctor about their situation and the best treatment options.

Understanding Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain cancer. It grows rapidly and infiltrates surrounding brain tissue, making it challenging to treat. A diagnosis of glioblastoma is indeed overwhelming, but understanding your treatment options can empower you to make informed decisions about your care.

After you’ve had a full work-up, experts say getting a consultation at a treatment center that sees a lot of patients with brain cancer can be an extremely valuable step.

Dr. Randy Jensen, a neurosurgeon at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, tells SurvivorNet that the standard of care for glioblastoma is typically to start with surgery.

“The standard of care for glioblastoma is to start off with a maximal safe resection, and that means having your surgeon pull out all the stops of anything they can do to maximize resection [removal],” Dr. Jensen explains.

The Standard of Care for Glioblastoma

While surgery is often where treatment starts, the treatment path for glioblastoma requires a comprehensive approach involving multiple medical specialties. Your care team may include neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, neuro-oncologists, and supportive care specialists.

The treatment approach for glioblastoma may consist of the following steps.

• Surgery: The first step in treatment is often surgical removal of the tumor, also known as resection. The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible while preserving neurological function. Complete removal is often difficult due to the tumor’s infiltrative nature, but reducing the tumor size can improve the effectiveness of subsequent treatments. In cases where surgery is not possible due to the tumor’s location, a biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
• Radiation Therapy: Following surgery, most patients undergo radiation therapy to target any remaining cancer cells. Radiation uses high-energy X-rays or protons to damage the DNA of tumor cells, preventing them from growing and dividing. It is typically administered five days a week over a period of six weeks. Radiation therapy is a crucial component in slowing tumor progression and improving survival rates.
• Chemotherapy: Temozolomide (TMZ) is the standard chemotherapy drug used in glioblastoma treatment. It is taken orally and works by interfering with the tumor cells’ ability to replicate. TMZ is often used in combination with radiation therapy (concurrent chemoradiation) and then continued as maintenance therapy for several months.
• Tumor Treating Fields (TTFs): TTFs are a newer, non-invasive treatment option that uses alternating electrical fields to disrupt cancer cell division.

Dr. Jensen explains that after surgery for brain cancer, a tumor board meeting often occurs, where doctors with different specialties meet to assess the case together and decide the best way to proceed with treatment.

The purpose of the tumor board is to give brain cancer experts with different specialties the opportunity to discuss and decide on the best possible treatment approach.

The Future of Glioblastoma Treatment

Research into new glioblastoma treatments is ongoing.

Some promising areas of focus include include immunotherapy and targeted therapies.

Clinical trials also offer access to experimental therapies that may improve outcomes. Patients interested in participating in clinical trials should discuss options with their oncologists.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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