“I’m trying to do everything I can to stay strong.”
In October of 2022, Katie Couric revealed her breast cancer diagnosis to the world. As a passionate advocate for cancer research and awareness, she’s since mined her personal experience as a way to help others. This year, she’s interviewed experts on issues like the ins and outs of aromatase inhibitors to the brass tacks of mammogram screening recommendations. As always, she’s used innate curiosity and transparency to break down an overwhelmingly large issue into something digestible and relatable.
Now, a year after opening up about her diagnosis, she’s closing out Breast Cancer Awareness Month by answering questions from Wake-Up Call readers itching for a health update. “Emotionally, I felt grateful,” she says. “I felt lucky that it was diagnosed early and I had access to such high-quality medical care. I think because I dealt with such serious cancers before — where they were life-threatening and indeed life-ending — I wasn’t that impacted by this, as weird as that sounds.” In terms of the long-term effects of breast cancer, she’s noticed some small changes, but she notes those could just be a part of aging. “Physically, it’s hard to tell. Sometimes I think, Is this because I’m older, so I get a little more tired than I used to? Or is it because of the breast cancer or the aromatase inhibitors? I don’t really know. But in general, I feel pretty good and I still have a lot of energy.”
Generally, she tries not to dwell on her diagnosis too much. “In terms of fear of it coming back, I don’t think about that often. I try to take care of myself.” That includes breast exams every six months, eating right, and exercising. “And honestly, having fun because I think that’s really important to your overall health — to be with people you like, be stimulated, and have new experiences.” She adds, “I try to think about things that I’m grateful for all the time. I think that helps me stay in the moment, stay present, and not worry too much about the future.”
