Couric, now 64, and Monahan married in a 1989 wedding. By now youve probably read that Katie Couric has breast cancer. He was in treatment from April 1997 to January 1998 nine months. The former Today anchor underwent surgery and radiation over the summer . Rectal bleeding is fairly common, she says, which will appear as bright-red blood. They have no choice but to go on," during herCureinterview in 2019. She experienced back pain and sleep issues, and a therapist eventually prescribed her antidepressants for "situational depression. For colorectal cancer awareness month, we're taking a closer look at this deadly disease. By Kayla Blanton Published: Sep 28, 2022. Katie Couric shares own cancer heartbreak, urges support for caregivers. "The thing about colon cancer, and some other cancers as well, but particularly colon cancer, is by the time you have really serious symptoms, it's often progressed, and that's why it's so critically important to be aware of the signs of colorectal cancer especially if you're young. Keep in mind, while this is Katies first personal bout with cancer, its by no means the first time cancer has hit close to home for the Stand Up to Cancer founder. People who develop premalignant polyps dont exhibit any symptoms, Dr. Schnoll-Sussman says. In Going There, Katie writes that she was completely shocked by his diagnosis; though Jay had been experiencing dramatic weight loss and a perpetually sour stomach, his youth and vitality initially prevented the couple from considering such a frightening diagnosis. Jay kept working, really until almost the very end, but I've been thinking about Chadwick's wife and his family and I've just been marveling over the fact that for four years he kept working.". In May 2018, Couric toldPeople that her husband's passing had given her a "higher sense of purpose"that has motivated her to"take this unimaginable pain and loss and try to do something positive with it.". She made the revelation to TV host Wendy Williams, sharing that the two went to a Giants football game. In her memoir, Katie writes that at a baby showerhe couldnt manage appetizers or a Bloody Mary. Friends noticed that John had lost weight. Photos courtesy of Katie Couric and Getty Images. Many people with polyps even big polyps feel nothing.. Youre going to be fine but we need to make a plan, her doctor said. At the same time, if there is an inherited component of the cancer, knowing this information is incredibly helpful in reducing risk of future cancers for the patient and their family. Katie Courics father, John Martin Couric, was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which was treated with radioactive seeds. Our daughters were 6 and 2 at the time, and its really hard to describe the kind of heartbreak that ensued after he passed away, she said. Katie Couric, 65, revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer. On March, the 62-year-old former Today co-host visited the show once again and she opened up about Monahans death in an effort to raise awareness on the importance of an early diagnosis to improve chances of surviving the illness. All rights reserved. Katie Couric, 64, Reveals Husband John Molner, 58, Recently Had a Cancer Scare Involving 'A Tumor The Size of a Coconut'; Couric's First Husband Passed From Colon Cancer. We dont exactly know why that is, Dr. Schnoll-Sussman says. "There haven't been enough research dollars dedicated to really studying different ethnic groups," she says. You seem to be eating enough, but the disease can change the way your body uses food and prevent you from being able to absorb all the nutrients, the National Cancer Institute noted. Copyright 2023 SurvivorNet, Inc. All Rights Reserved. January 21, 2019, marked the 21st anniversary of the passing of Jay Monahan, Katie Courics first husband and the father of her two daughters. Sadly, that wouldnt be the end of her cancer journey; Katies sister Emily Couric died of pancreatic cancer in 2001. The American Cancer Society recommends starting screening when you turn 45, if youre at average risk for developing colon cancer; earlier, if you have a family history of the disease or other risk factors. Never want to see this again? . Katies tumor was hormone receptor-positive, HER2neu-negative, which her doctor told her was highly treatable, particularly since it was detected early.. Couric reflected on that time during a 2003 HealthDayinterview, sharing, "My husband found out he had colon cancer when he was basically doubled over with pain in his abdomen. Couric has been married to John Molner since 2014. Legal Statement. Jay had colorectal cancer. We went to the hospital and learned his colon was almost completely blocked by a tumor." "Everyone has to be vigilant about this," she says. In the interview, Couric explained that she wanted to use the challenges she has faced to lift other people up: I wrote this book for people who could relate to my own experienceswho have lost people, who have been told theyre never going to make it, who have been disappointed and figured out a way to kinda say, You know, you gotta go through it, its going to be ok.. People have colons, and we can't feel squeamish about talking about something that has the potential to save people's lives.". Register, Katie Couric, 64, Reveals Husband John Molner, 58, Recently Had a Cancer Scare Involving A Tumor The Size of a Coconut; Courics First Husband Passed From Colon Cancer. Katie was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2022. Ms. Couric was diagnosed with Stage 1A breast cancer which, she wrote, hadn't spread to the lymph nodes . Finally, some tumors bleed a small amount over a long period of time, resulting in anemia (low red blood cell count) that is detected on blood work. The couple married in 1989. Doctors discuss early warning signs and symptoms of colon cancer Aug. 31, 2020 04:20. It's National Caregivers Month, and Katie Couric knows the caregiving experience firsthand. It can be intermittent, so you might have it one day and then itll go away for a few weeks and then youll get it again. View gallery. "Jay was sick [for] nine months and that was excruciating.". After collapsing at home, he died after being taken to Lenox Hill Hospital. As Besser pointed out, however, other than polyps there may be no other symptoms in the early . While she said she wishes she could have met Molner earlier, she is "so glad" she didn't rush into "a relationship that wouldn't have been good for [my kids] or good for me in the long run.". does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Experts recommend that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. Oct 03, 2022 08:15 A.M. John Molner has been Katie Couric's husband since 2014. These breast cancers can be treated with hormone therapy drugs that lower estrogen levels or block estrogen receptors. Still, there are a few things you should be on the lookout for. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. She had recently joined the "Today" show and felt lucky to have a steady income. Couric, who underwent surgery for breast cancer in July and began radiation treatments on Sept. 7, also noted that her first husband, Jay Monahan, died from colon cancer at 42, while her sister . Thats why its so important to get screened regularly, she tells us. Even people who have developed the cancer may also feel completely fine and show no symptoms. Use this bar to access information about the steps in your cancer journey. "I think that prevented me from ever really saying goodbye.". She elaborated, "Jay never really had any symptoms of colon cancer, other than being tired all of the time," which they assumed was because of their "busy lifestyle." Katie Couric is speaking out after being diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer. Couric has used her family's heartbreaking story in an attempt to encourage the . "You also have to really know your family history because if you have a family history of colon cancer, you need to be screened 10 years before that family member was diagnosed. After being in treatment for over a year, Emily died on October 18, 2001, at 54 years old. The best test is the one that a patient will do, Inra noted. The blood can be bright red or a darker maroon color. Journalist and advocate Katie Couric's honesty about her breast cancer diagnosis and journey shines a bright light on why annual cancer screenings are a crucial part of healthcare. Caregivers are oftentimes the unsung and forgotten heroes that provide care to their love ones or ward. "It's highly preventable with the right screening," she says. Her first husband Jay Monahan died of colorectal cancer in 1998. I think people find a way to go on because they have to go on. By registering for this event you accept Katie Couric Medias Terms of Service & Privacy Policy. In a candid interview with People magazine, former TODAY co-anchor Katie Couric opened up about how she coped with the passing of her husband Jay Monahan in 1998. Katie Couric could not discuss death with her first husband after his stage IV cancer diagnosis, revealing it scared her even to bring up the topic. The dynamics of caregiving is complex and multifaceted. She left behind a husband and two children. "Jay never really had any symptoms of colon cancer, other than being tired all of the time, which we chalked up to a busy lifestyle, having . In an August 2019Cureinterview, Katie Couric described being a caregiver to her late husband Jay Monahan as "incredibly challenging, difficult, painful and traumatic." "We have a whole colon cancer dream team. Or if its become metastatic, meaning the cancers spread throughout the body, standard chemotherapy is prescribed. If you notice blood on the toilet paper, in the toilet bowl or mixed in with your stool, tell your doctor. ", She added, "I didn't want to ruin the time he had left with just hopelessness.". "It's funny because both of them are John Paul's," she said. Dr. Paul Obersteinfrom NYU Langone Healths Perlmutter Cancer Center goes over symptoms of colon cancer in a previous interview with SurvivorNet. And all the things that make people at greater risk for COVID may also make them a greater risk for colon cancer.". In 1998, the journalist's husband Jay Monahan died from stage 4 colon cancer at age 42. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S. and the third leading cause of cancer deaths in American men and women combined, according to the CDC. Regarding her hormonal therapy, she shared that she will be taking an aromatase inhibitor for five years and did not require chemotherapy due to the results of her Oncotype test. Theres an awareness among the public, but not enough people are being screened people are sometimes nervous about the screening tests.. Dr. Schnoll-Sussman says the reason clinicians distinguish between colon cancer and rectal cancer is that the conditions are treated very differently. "Katie Couric's openness about her diagnosis sends an important message to the public about the value of early detection with regular mammograms, and how different breast cancer treatment is today . Screening wouldnt have crossed our minds for Jay when he was diagnosed at 41, said Couric while appearing on Today. Read More. Click here to dismiss this module permanently. All content, including text, and images contained on. Because colorectal cancer is on the rise in people younger than 50, major medical associations, including the American Cancer Society, have updated their guidelines to recommend regular screening start at age 45 five years younger than prior recommendations. Couric, a mother of two, said she underwent what she thought would be . 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