"GMA's" Robin Roberts Has Breast Cancer

Morning TV Co-Host Made Announcement On "Good Morning America"

(AP)  ABC "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will be undergoing surgery Friday.

Roberts, 46, told viewers about her cancer on Tuesday morning's show.

"I am so blessed that I found this in the early stages and the prognosis is so promising that my doctor expects me to be flying planes and hanging on to submarines in the middle of the Atlantic and scaling the Mayan pyramids in no time," she said.

Roberts, who is co-anchor of "Good Morning America" with Diane Sawyer, said she examined herself and found a lump on her breast the same day she had done a report on former "GMA" movie critic Joel Siegel, who died of colon cancer last month. The network wouldn't say which breast was affected.

Roberts, who is single, said there is no history in her family of breast cancer.

She's been a contributor to ABC's morning program since 1995 and was the newsreader before being named in May 2005 as one of the show's anchors.

Former ABC news anchor Peter Jennings announced on "World News Tonight" in April 2005 that he had lung cancer. He never appeared on the air again and died four months later.

[vljones2005]

Robin my prayers were with you and your family on yesterday while you were in surgery. May God bless you and give you strength to endure. I hope you have a speedy recovery. verna jones in Texas.

[drinuk]

Have the operation and the chemo but back it up with B-17. Oh! don't have the radiology, that causes bone cancer. Good Luck

[likeitis5050]

Best wishes to Robin. Going through cancer is bad enough...doing it on camera for all to see takes guts. If anyone can...she can. Sending her the best.

[mitch0927]

Puzzler125, you're exactly right. By voicing her diagnosis, she might be the one who saves thousands if not millions. She is the most down-to-earth reporter and anchor I have seen in years. She was there during the aftermath of Katrina, showing us where she was from and helping others with no regard to her safety. This woman, along with many others can be used as examples to others for their courage.

And thank you for your comment alycia1960, I couldn't agree with you more.

[puzzler125]

Why is this important news? For one *** good reason if no other...at least one woman will now go get a mammogram because one brave soul said it out loud!

[peppertwo2]

Robin Roberts is one of the most beautiful people on TV today and one of the most loved. She will hav e the prayers of all America for her successful recovery.

[alycia1960]

amen mitch0927, just because a lot of people get the same diagnosis does not diminish Robin's trauma. formrusmcsgt, I hope you get the chance to learn compassion in spades.

[mitch0927]

formrusmcsgt, one word describes you.... MORON.....

[formrusmcsgt]

This is news? Apparently, any ailmant that affect someone with a jib in front of a camera is news. How mwny women were diagnosed the same day with the same ailment in this country?

They are not news but Roberts' case is?

[melissabp]

Robin, I am a survivor now for 14 years and I know what you're going through. I believe you will be ok. One of the things that caught me off card during my treatment was how hard my breast cancer was on the people around me. They need our prayers too. You will learn a lot from your fellow cancer patients as well as a lot about yourself. I found a positive attitude and a sense of humor to be helpful. You'll need it with all the people who are about to look at your boobs!

Love,
Melissa

[shadesoftrac]

My sister was a breast cancer survivor for 15 years, she lost her brave battle in 2003 & she had more courage than I think I could have ever had. I have admired you on the news for years now & I just know you have that same kind of fire that my beautiful sister had. After she died I joined the sister study as a volunteer recruit, its a research project to try discover why often times one sister gets it & the other does not. I heard you say that there was no history in your family & if you have sister she may want to join up. I did it to honor my wonderful sister. You can go to www.sisterstudy.org to read about it. I was the first sister to be in the volunteer spotlight. My prayers are with you & your family always. GOD BLESS!!!

[katphishky]

Robin - You are in my thoughts and prayers as you prepare to fight breast cancer. You are a terrific lady. I have laughed with you and cried with you over the years. Your courage during the hurricane that destroyed your home town was amazing. You spoke this morning about how you feel we, the viewers, are part of your family. I also feel you are part of my family.
Hang in there. Keep your eyes on God and he will take care of you.

Kathy

[pamcakes09]

Hello Robin ~ I watch you every morning as part of my daily "wake-up" routine and was sorry to hear today that you have been recently dx'd with breast cancer. From one survivor to another, my prayers and thoughts are with you in this difficult time. Stay strong my friend, you have a challenging road ahead, but ultimately you WILL get through this and emerge a stronger woman! God bless....

[msmama]

Robin, you are one amazing girl! My husband had been raving about you for years before you picked my friend and me (the crazies with the MS LOVES NYC banner) out of the GMA crowd one morning in April, 2003. We still cherish our photograph taken with you! Recently I bought, and shared with many girlfriends, your inspiring book FROM THE HEART. Well, from my heart and all those other hearts you have inspired, it is time for us to lift you up. We love you. We're praying for you.

[adavis1959]

Robin,

This morning I was late turning on the only morning show that I have watched since the mid 1970's...I saw you and Diane sharing a special moment, but I had no idea what was going on. When I finally remembered it just a few moments ago and did a Google search I was shocked to discover the news of your diagnosis. You are one of the most special people that I consider part of my own circle of "friends". While we have never met, and may never meet, you have touched my life in so many ways...through your book, through your heartfelt experience with Hurricane Katrina, through the loss of your beloved father and just through the sheer blessing of having you broadcast into my home on a daily basis. I am a 47 year old, Black woman who, too, was diagnosed with breast cancer. My diagnosis was in 1999. After a mastectomy, reconstruction, chemotherapy and radiation, I will celebrate 8 years of survival in October of this year. You are now a member of a very special and elite group of strong women, strong survivors, and strong people. You will be fine. I suspect that there are more people than you know praying and sending positive vibes in your direction. Stay strong, sister friend. I love you.
Andrea Davis, Winston-Salem, NC

[rhondat3]

Robin,
You are an awesome woman, and truely a role model. Besides your beauty, and your mental sharpness,I love your personality. You always seem to be honest and to genuinely care, for your co-anchors and interviewee's and they always seem to appreciate you.I watch you all every morning. It was so sad to see Joel go. I hate that you have to go through this. It makes me cry...but,I know you'll come through this. This too, shall pass...

[franny19381]

Dear Robin,Scary word the big C. I went through this 2yrs ago. With Gods help and great medical care you will beat this also. Its not fun but not impossible. You will be in my prayers and in the prayers of many more. God Bless

[neem2]

Robin
My most favorite show on TV is Good Morning America. I have been watching it for year. After starting a new job several years ago I need to leave earlier to work and can only get it on the radio for about 10 minutes, then I lose it. I was late for work today and happened to hear your announcement. I was so sorry to hear the news. The best part is you found it so early. Don't be afraid of the word Cancer. In this society, you seem to hear more from people who have it than those who have survived. I have a niece that has survived 17 years after cancer and another niece who has survived 5 years. No problems at all. You are a strong sensible person and you will come through this with flying colors. You are in my prayers and my thoughts. Keep positive.

[alycia1960]

Oh Robin, you just became an instant "sister." I just saw the announcement you made, you are where I was, in April of 2005. I would like to recommend a superb online email support group, http://www.bclist.org (click on join email group). You can be as anonymous as you like. You will learn a new area of expertise, as we all have, in this club to which no one wants to belong. And we can give you a LOT of hope. Also, the latest issue of The Breast Book by Dr. Susan Love (2005) is an *excellent* book for a nervous, newly-diagnosed patient to read. You can flip back and forth and answer your questions as they crop up.
Sending you love, and courage, and also hoping you find the great gifts that cancer brought me. Do feel free to write to me. Love and a hug
Alycia in Connecticut
[e-mail]

[briansgirl2]

My prayers are with you Robin. Stay strong, girl. Remember, God wouldn't bring you to it if He wasn't going to bring you thru it!!