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ABC’S Amy Robach to Undergo Double Mastectomy

By Cheri Cheng | Update Date: Nov 11, 2013 03:40 PM EST

On October 1, several media outlets participated in Breast Cancer Awareness month. On ABC nearly a month ago, correspondent Amy Robach agreed to have a mammogram on live television. Several weeks after her mammogram, Robach, 40-years-old, discovered that she had breast cancer. Robach just announced today that she would be undergoing a double mastectomy this Thursday and reconstructive surgery.

When Robach was approached to participate in the live screening, she remembered thinking that she would never do a mammogram on live television. She stated that her first instincts told her not to partake in the screening session. However, after talking with "Good Morning America" host, Robin Roberts, who is a breast cancer survivor, Robach said she felt inspired and got the mammogram. The mammogram was done discreetly and the camera angles provided a lot of privacy. Robach said the mammogram hurt a lot less then she anticipated. A few weeks later, Robach was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"I'm 40 years old. I've never had a mammogram. I've avoided it. And I started thinking, 'Wow, if I've put it off, how many other people have put it off as well?'" Robach said according to the New York Times.

ABC had specifically asked Robach to participate in the screening because of her age. When women turn 40, they are recommended to get screenings regularly. However, many of them, such as Robach who has two children, are too busy to get screened. Robach's case reminds all mothers and women of the importance of getting mammograms.

"I can only hope my story will do the same and inspire every woman who hears it to get a mammogram, to take a self-exam," she said according to the Associated Press reported by ABC News. "No excuses. It is the difference between life and death."

Robach added in her own ABC Blog Post, "While everyone who gets cancer is clearly unlucky, I got lucky by catching it early, and there are so many people to thank for making sure I did. Every producer, every person who urged me to do this, changed my trajectory. The doctors told me bluntly, 'That mammogram just saved your life.'"

Robach started working for ABC in 2012. She was previously the host of NBC's "Weekend Today."

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