SNL Barbara Walters Impersonator Star Cheri Oteri, 63, Is Beating Breast Cancer & Cracking Jokes

“I never felt so supported,” Oteri shared on the “Dear Chelsea” podcast, explaining that former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, 75, personally reached out with compassion and encouragement.

“Jill came up to me… we were saying goodbye, and I told her I was just diagnosed. She asked, ‘When is your surgery?’ And I said, ‘The 26th,’” Oteri said.

Oteri was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a non‑invasive, stage‑zero breast cancer.

WATCH: The Treatment Approach to Stage Zero Breast Cancer

Stage zero breast cancer is abnormal cells that line the ducts in the breast. A normal breast comprises many ducts carrying milk to the nipple in a lactating woman. This type of breast cancer is not invasive, meaning it has not spread outside the milk duct and cannot invade other parts of the breast.

Some oncologists approach stage zero breast cancer with a watch-and-wait approach, meaning no invasive procedure happens immediately. Other oncologists may opt to perform surgery followed by possible radiation.

During the interview, Oteri said she ultimately underwent two lumpectomies and is now feeling “great.”

A lumpectomy (also known as breast‑conserving surgery) removes the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue while preserving most of the breast.

WATCH: How to Decide If a Lumpectomy or Mastectomy Is Best?

“The surgery typically takes about an hour and is outpatient, meaning a patient can go home the same day. “It’s abnormal to have a lot of pain after a lumpectomy,” says Dr. Sarah Cate, Chief of Breast Surgery at Stamford Hospital.

For Oteri, the experience underscored the power of community.

“I never felt so supported by my friends, my girlfriends,” she said, emphasizing how crucial that network has been.

Support has long been a defining theme for the Bidens as well. After former President Joe Biden, 83, announced his stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis, he shared a photo with Dr. Biden and wrote, “Cancer touches us all… Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places.”

Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support. pic.twitter.com/oSS1vGIiwU

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 19, 2025

RELATED: Check Out SurvivorNet’s Digital Guide to Prostate Cancer

For many people facing cancer, building a support system – whether through family, friends, or caregivers – can be just as vital as the medical treatment itself.

Understanding Early-Stage Breast Cancer and What Comes Next

Early-stage breast cancer means the tumor is small and hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes. According to medical oncologist Dr. Elizabeth Comen, the first step is usually surgery to remove the cancer. This may involve a lumpectomy, where only the tumor and surrounding tissue are removed, often followed by radiation therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence.

However, treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Factors like age, tumor size, family history, and personal preference may influence whether radiation is needed or if a patient chooses a more aggressive approach, such as a mastectomy—removal of the entire breast. After surgery, a pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope to help determine the next steps in treatment.

WATCH: Understanding Early Stage Breast Cancer

Diagnostic testing plays a critical role in shaping your care plan. If a mammogram or clinical breast exam reveals something abnormal, your care team may recommend:

• Diagnostic mammogram and breast ultrasound to get a closer look at the breast and nearby lymph nodes
• MRI scans for additional imaging detail
• Biopsy of suspicious areas, including lymph nodes, to confirm cancer
• Tumor marker testing to identify hormone receptors and proteins that influence treatment options
• Additional imaging to check for any signs of metastatic disease

Once all this information is gathered, your cancer is staged—based on tumor size, lymph node involvement, and whether it has spread. Staging helps guide treatment decisions, while hormone receptor and protein marker tests reveal how the cancer behaves and which therapies may be most effective.

Your healthcare team will consider all of these factors—alongside your personal health, values, and goals—to create a treatment plan tailored to you.

Cancer as a Lifelong Journey and Sometimes a Wake‑Up Call

For many patients, cancer becomes a long‑term companion, not a single moment in time; hence, the cancer experience from diagnosis to treatment and into survivorship is considered a journey.

“Any patient with a new diagnosis of bladder cancer or any type of cancer needs to know that this is going to be a lifelong process,” Dr. Alexandra Drakaki, medical director of the Genitourinary Oncology Program at UCLA, says.

Dr. Drakaki says beneath the surface, there is something deeper in that journey. It creates an extended family among fellow survivors and caregivers who understand the visible and noticeable aspects of a diagnosis and the quiet parts often away from wandering eyes.

“Oftentimes, I tell my patients that their cancer could be a blessing because it gives more awareness of how they want to spend their life.”

We often hear from patients who explain how they gain an added sense of gratitude after a diagnosis. Life milestones such as birthdays, graduations, the birth of a child, or a wedding are all examples of life experiences that gain added value for patients and their loved ones.

The added awareness can also reshape priorities, relationships, and the way patients choose to live each day. However, as patients often reshape their perspective on life following a diagnosis, their medical team’s goal remains focused.

“We should always go with a goal of cure or prolonged response,” Dr. Drakaki says.

Aligning Treatment With What Matters Most to You

One of the most important conversations Dr. Drakaki has with new patients begins with a simple question: What is your goal?

Some patients prioritize longevity at all costs. Others value quality of life above everything else.

“Some people will say, ‘I’d rather have less time on earth but a better quality of life.’ And there are others who want to stay around as long as possible. So we need to make sure that we merge our goals.”

Cancer care is not just about eliminating disease; it’s about honoring the whole person.

“Our goal is to treat and cure cancer, while the patient’s goal is not just to be cancer‑free, but to avoid lifelong complications and toxicities from treatment.”

A Diagnosis Is Not the End, It’s the Beginning of a New Conversation

Dr. Drakaki’s message is ultimately one of clarity and empowerment: cancer is common, survivable, and increasingly manageable. Patients have more options, more tools, and more agency than ever before.

Above all, hold onto hope because there is always a path forward.

To further help you on your cancer journey, explore SurvivorNet’s proprietary AI tool, “My Health Questions.”

WATCH: How One Cancer Survivor and Her Sister Used “My Health Questions” to Navigate Care

This powerful resource, embedded across the SurvivorNet website, was built to bridge that gap by offering on-demand explanations of treatment options, clinical trials, side effects, insurance concerns, and more. Users can ask questions conversationally, either by typing or using their voice, and receive answers tailored to their individual profiles. If patients don’t know where to start, we provide prompt questions to get them started.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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