NBC Today star Katie Couric, 65, opens up on heartbreaking cancer diagnosis - 'Why me?'

express.co.uk:

CBS Evening News and as a correspondent for 60 Minutes, shared the heartbreaking news via her social media. Posting a picture of herself in a mask and hospital robe, Katie hoped that by sharing her cancer story she might encourage other women to get their breasts checked by medical professionals.In the Instagram post to her 1.5 million followers, Katie wrote: “Every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.“On June 21st, I became one of them."As we approach Breast Cancer Awareness Month 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."In an essay posted on her website, Katie went into further detail about the moment she learnt of her diagnosis.Describing the life changing moment, she said that she “felt sick and the room started to spin”.The famous journalist wrote: “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.“My mood quickly shifted from disbelief to resignation.

Given my family's history of cancer, why would I be spared? My reaction went from 'Why me?' to 'Why not me?’”As well as absorbing the news herself, Katie then had to tell her children she had cancer, a heartbreaking moment for all.She explained that four days after she was given the diagnosis, she FaceTimed each of her children, trying to be as reassuring as her doctor had been to her.Sadly to no avail. “Their faces froze in disbelief.Then shock.Then they began to cry,” Katie wrote.In addition to her family history of cancer, Katie’s first husband Jay Monahan tragically died after a battle with colon.