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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Scarlett O'Toole

Former Today host Katie Couric shares breast cancer diagnosis in moving post

Katie Couric has taken to social media to reveal she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The 65-year-old journalist took to Instagram on Wednesday to post a photograph of herself in a mask and hospital robe as she shared her story in the hope of raising awareness and helping other women.

Katie said she was diagnosed with the illness on June 21, the day of her eighth wedding anniversary with John Molner.

The former Today host wrote:: "Every two minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. On June 21st, I became one of them."

Katie added: "I wanted to share my personal story with you all and encourage you to get screened and understand that you may fall into a category of women who needs more than a mammogram."

Katie said she was diagnosed with breast cancer in June (Instagram)

Fans had an outpouring of support for Katie, with many thanking her for sharing her experience.

One person wrote: "You are an inspiration @katiecouric," adding three heart emojis.

Another said: "So important. Thanks for sharing," with a third fan adding: "Love to you dear @katiecouric and thank you for continuing to educate even in the midst of great personal trauma."

"Sending love to you! So sorry you are going through this! Thank you for the reminder," penned a fourth fan.

She presented The Today Show for more than a decade (REUTERS)

Katie's diagnosis comes 24 years after her first husband Jay Monahan died of colorectal cancer. She received it after undergoing a routine mammogram which raised concerns with her doctor.

In a personal essay published on her website, Katie opened up about her fear at hearing the diagnosis and the heart-breaking moment she told her children she had cancer.

"I felt sick and the room started to spin. I was in the middle of an open office, so I walked to a corner and spoke quietly, my mouth unable to keep up with the questions swirling in my head, she wrote"

She struggled to tell her kids (Getty Images for Haute Living)
Katie's cancer was found after a routine mammogram (Getty Images for Haute Living)

Katie added: "Finally, four days after I was diagnosed, I FaceTimed each of them. I tried to be as reassuring as Dr. Newman. Their faces froze in disbelief. Then shock. Then they began to cry.

"They'd already lost one parent. The idea of losing another was unfathomable."

Katie underwent a lumpectomy surgery on July 14 and began radiation treatment on September 7, which she completed yesterday.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct at 0207 29 33033.

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