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- Kate Walsh, known for her performances in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice,” opens up about her personal experiences with cancer.
- Having lost both parents to cancer, she also faced a cancer scare herself.
- The “Emily in Paris” star is emphasizing the significance of early detection in cancer treatment.
Award-winning actress Kate Walsh has a profound understanding of cancer’s impact. In 2015, she received the shocking news of a brain tumor diagnosis at just 48 years old.
“Thank goodness it was benign and could be surgically removed, and since then, I’ve been quite healthy,” shared Walsh, who recently made a guest appearance in the third season of the popular series “Emily in Paris.”
Years before her own health scare, one of her close high school friends tragically lost her battle with breast cancer.
“She fought breast cancer multiple times but ultimately lost her battle at just 44. It was heartbreaking, and far too young,” Walsh expressed in an interview with Healthline.
Walsh’s first encounter with cancer loss was during her early adulthood when her father was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer. At only 23, she was told he had just six months to live.
“He ended up living for a year and a half, which allowed me to spend precious moments with him, even though I was living in another state. Losing my father at 23 was incredibly traumatic,” Walsh recounted.
Later, her mother faced breast cancer when she was 62. “It began with some irregular cells and lumpectomies, eventually leading to a double mastectomy. Fortunately, she remained cancer-free for nearly 30 years,” Walsh noted with gratitude.
At the time of her mother’s diagnosis, Walsh was 28 and felt compelled to advocate for a mammogram screening. “I had to push hard to get my mammogram and ultrasound due to my mom’s cancer history,” she recalled.
“This governing body provides evidence-based guidance on strategies for cancer prevention and other diseases, aiming to extend life,” said David Cohn, MD, a gynecologic oncologist and interim CEO at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“Their recommendations often shape insurance coverage for any suggested testing,” Cohn explained to Healthline.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), some multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests can identify the specific organ affected by cancer, while others may simply indicate the presence of cancer in the body. This often requires additional tests or imaging to determine the source of abnormal DNA or proteins.
“This technology wasn’t available in my parents’ or even my own generation,” Walsh commented. “At 57, witnessing the advancement of these tests that can screen for various cancers with just a blood draw is truly incredible. Early detection is vital as it opens up more treatment options.”
While MCED tests show promise for detecting multiple cancers at an early stage, they have not yet received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Experts emphasize the need for further research to optimize the use of MCED tests in clinical environments.
“Public health experts are concerned that these tests could worsen health disparities if equity isn’t prioritized during product development,” Cohn explained. “Minorities are often underrepresented in clinical trials and cancer screening data, which are crucial for the progress of these technologies.”
When Walsh’s father was diagnosed, she was enjoying a carefree life in her 20s, focused on her acting career and neglecting her health. However, her mother’s cancer diagnosis spurred her to adopt healthier lifestyle choices.
“At 48, I realized I couldn’t keep living like that forever,” Walsh reflected. “I turned to meditation, fitness, Pilates, and outdoor activities like skiing.”
Today, Walsh actively follows expert-recommended strategies to minimize cancer risk, including maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutritious diet, limiting alcohol intake, avoiding tobacco, using sunscreen, managing stress, and prioritizing quality sleep.
“Prevention is crucial, and making positive lifestyle adjustments can help reduce inflammation in the body and lower overall cancer risk,” Cohn concluded.
