Robin Roberts Wins Emmy
- Good Morning America host Robin Roberts, 61, won an Emmy for her Turning The Tables program, but she was not on hand to receive her trophy, leaving some wondering if she was at home caring for her partner Amber who is battling cancer.
- Roberts is a cancer survivor herself, and her partner Amber was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2021; she had surgery and chemotherapy for treatment.
- In 2007, Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she went through her cancer battle publicly, raising awareness about breast cancer in the process.
Some are wondering if she was home caring for her partner, Amber Laign, who is currently battling breast cancer. Amber was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2021; she had surgery and chemotherapy for treatment.
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She continues, “I founded my production company to not only create uplifting, inspiring content but to also create opportunities for women like this to showcase their immense talent. Very proud of them!”
Upon accepting their win at the Friday ceremony, executive producer Kadine Anckle delivered an enthusiastic speech in which she thanked Roberts, saying, “Thank you, Robin, for being a wonderful host and a brilliant light and allowing us to shine with you. Thank you for sharing that.”
Robin Roberts’ Cancer Battle
Robin Roberts intimately knows the battle that her partner Amber is facing.
In 2007, Robin was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she went through her cancer battle publicly, raising awareness about the disease in the process. The GMA host also had to have a bone marrow transplant to treat her MDS, which is a rare type of blood cancer.
Roberts discovered her cancer while at work. She was preparing for a news story about the need for early detection for breast cancer, and she performed a self-check at home. While doing an exam on herself, Roberts discovered a lump. She treated her cancer with surgery. Breast cancer can also be treated with radiation and chemotherapy.
Current guidelines recommend that women aged 45 to 54 with an average risk of breast cancer should get mammograms annually. Mammograms screen for breast cancer and look for lumps in the breast tissue, and other signs of cancer. If you're at a higher risk for breast cancer due to a family history of the disease, you should start screening earlier.
When Should You Consider a Mastectomy?
Being a Caregiver to Someone with Cancer
When you take on a caregiving role, there's a lot that can fall on your plate. It's important to understand your loved one's diagnosis and help them follow the instructions from the cancer-care team.
"I encourage caregivers to come in to visits with my patients, because in that way, the caregiver is also listening to the recommendations what should be done in between these visits, any changes in treatment plans, any toxicities [side effects] that we need to look out for, changes in dietary habits, exercise, etc.," Dr. Jayanthi Lea, a gynecologic oncologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet.
That being said, it's natural that filling this role can bring up a whole host of emotions. Tom Evans, a pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church located in the Carnegie Hill neighborhood of New York City, previously spoke with SurvivorNet about the complexity of caregiving.
"When you find yourself suddenly having to care for somebody, to be the primary lifeline for them, you very well could have mixed emotions," he said. "Maybe it's anger. Maybe this person never cared for you in the past, and now you have to do it for them. And maybe you're gonna feel like you're selfish when you need a break."
How to Be a Better Caregiver for Your Loved One
Survivornet reporter Abigail Seaberg contributed to this article.
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