Former GMA co-host talks about her diagnosis and battle with breast cancer

Stacey Sager spoke to Joan Lunden, who tells us what she learned, and how it saved her life.


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[YaYaPaBla]

My insurance, United Health group has repeatedly denied me getting a diagnostic mammogram/ultrasound test. The lady at my dr office says she has repeatedly stressed to them to allow me to have it done! I’m paying for this insurance they need to stop with the red tape!

[xoxoMoonChildxoxo]

I grew up watching Joan. She's still so beautiful ♥

[jenniferhuff]

Thanks for covering this important topic!

[sharlafalkner]

Joan you are so beautiful so grateful this cancer is gone. Every day we need to pray for the people who has breast cancer or any cancer. These doctors are learning more each day. We have to tell people you feel a lump any where ever go get them checked. People who have. O insurance should check in the area they live to see if free mammograms. Find some body that would hep you.

[Josie]

Insurance doesn’t cover the next step. Ultrasound sound or mri should be the standard of care but it is not.

[fb-rpcb]

This gives me hope that you are still doing well 10 years after the same diagnosis that I received 3 years ago I now have 6 month genetic testing, mammograms and ultrasounds and at my last checkup i insisted on an MRI I didn’t care if insurance didn’t pay a dime they did cover some but at least for now I have peace of mind 💪

[italishgirl]

As a high risk breast cancer woman, I thank all those that fight for us. I get a mammogram and a breast MRI every year. The MRI is covered because of my family history but they don’t cover 100% so I have to pay the balance which is about$800. I also got the Bracca Genetic testing done and I fortunately do not carry the gene. That doesn’t mean I will never get breast cancer, only that the odds are much lower than if I had the gene. We’ve come so far from when my grandmother died of breast cancer in her early fifties. 🙏

[diana]

Doctors don’t listen or care about us unless there is money attached to the conversation.

[KarenHinkle-lmpt]

I insisted on having ultrasounds too besides a mammogram three years before I was diagnosed. It is your body your life and your money if insurance won’t cover it. Thank goodness I had ultrasounds because that is what found my breast cancer in November of 2005. I had a mastectomy on my left side. Chemo off and on for five months, different ones. It is now October of 2024, getting mammograms every year and no sign of any cancer reoccurring. Ladies and gentleman also…it is your body your life so pay attention to it. If anything is off GO to your doctor and be diligent about your symptoms, do not give up if they say it is nothing! Get another opinion. Good luck to you! 🙏🙏👍👍💜

[mariamorales]

Diagnosed 2007..lobular and ductal carcinoma…radiation and chemotherapy. 2020 ovarian

[ritasanders]

It’s great but some insurance companies will not pay. I had breast cancer in both breasts and yet my insurance will not pay for more than a mammogram once per year. I have to pay a higher amount for a higher level test. Well worth it to live but sad for women that we have to fight to be ahead of this curve.

[jenjen]

With getting tested, you have to have insurance and well not everyone can afford it. Let alone the dense breast tissue exam. Which costs more. So some of us go without knowing because of cost.

[Periwinkleblue.]

Why not skip expensive, risky mammograms which are nearly useless with dense tissue and actually increase cancer risk through radiation exposure and by crushing/damaging delicate breast tissue and just do ultrasounds since they are more conclusive, are painless and don't have any risks?

[flutterbyu]

I am a Breast Cancer survivor thanks to a mammogram. I was told i had dense breast tissue and would need different imaging because of it, but I'm here today thanks to technology. And, my Oncologist actually treated Ms Lunden. She had a huge portrait of her in the lobby waiting room.

[chrisfreemanmastin]

You glacéd over that fact that insurance won’t cover it. We are getting nowhere!

[judithyoast]

Mammograms hurt, they need to come up with a better way to check.

[bobbie]

Bilateral breast cancer, insisted second breast removed. First breast was clear after biopsy that took hale my breast-32DD. The other breast was full of a highly invasive cancer located near my left air pit, where the lymph nodes are, and they were invasive. Within 9 months I would have been dead. Glad I insisted that both breasts be removed even if I had to pay for the “unconcerned breast” that was full of cancer. I didn’t pay a dime.

[annewas]

That doesn't even look like Joan Lunden.

[ZZ-ljdu]

Mammogram is a bazillion dollar industry… I say no thank you!

[EM-mwqr]

Insurance still won't pay for the ultrasound though. I still get billed for it. Every time.