In this special episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with renowned journalist and cancer screening advocate Katie Couric at The Paley Center for Media in New York City. After losing her first husband to colon cancer in 1997, Katie made history when she received her first colonoscopy on-air as host of the Today show, inspiring millions of Americans to do the same in a phenomenon known as the Couric Effect. Her role as the “screen queen” has continued ever since, taking on new meaning last year when she revealed her own breast cancer diagnosis.

Learn more about breast cancer screening

Learn more about colon cancer screening

Watch the extended conversation with Katie on MSK's YouTube channel

In this special episode, <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/diane-reidy-lagunes">Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes</a> sits down with renowned journalist and cancer screening advocate Katie Couric at The Paley Center for Media in New York City. After losing her first husband to <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/colon">colon cancer</a> in 1997, Katie made history when she received her first <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/colon/diagnosis/colonoscopy-other-screening-tests">colonoscopy</a> on-air as host of the Today show, inspiring millions of Americans to do the same in a phenomenon known as the Couric Effect. Her role as the “screen queen” has continued ever since, taking on new meaning last year when she revealed her own <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/breast">breast cancer</a> diagnosis.
<a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/screening-mammograms-msk">Learn more about breast cancer screening</a>
<a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/colon/guidelines">Learn more about colon cancer screening</a>
<a href="https://youtu.be/bkGjrOZN5aM">Watch the extended conversation with Katie on MSK's YouTube channel</a>

Cancer Straight Talk from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center brings together national experts and cancer patients to have straightforward, evidence-based conversations. Our mission is to educate and empower patients and their families to make the right decisions and live happier, healthier lives.

Cancer Straight Talk from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center brings together national experts and cancer patients to have straightforward, evidence-based conversations. Our mission is to educate and empower patients and their families to make the right decisions and live happier, healthier lives.

Cancer Straight Talk

Katie Couric’s Cancer Journey: From Grief to Advocacy to Her Own Breast Cancer Diagnosis

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes is joined by Dr. Erica Lee, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at MSK, to discuss misconceptions around who can get skin cancer, how it presents on different skin types, and practical sun safety tips to help prevent skin cancer. They break down the different types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. They also hear from Jocelyn, a Hispanic melanoma survivor who shares her surprise of being diagnosed with melanoma despite her Hispanic background, emphasizing the importance of routine skin checks for people of all skin types.

Episode Chapters:

1:30 - Types of skin cancer

4:39 - Who's most at risk?

7:13 - Warning signs to look out for

10:25 - What darker skin populations need to know

13:25 - Sun protection myths and tips

In this episode, <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/diane-reidy-lagunes">Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes</a> is joined by <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/erica-lee">Dr. Erica Lee</a>, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at MSK, to discuss misconceptions around who can get <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/skin">skin cancer</a>, how it presents on different skin types, and practical sun safety tips to help prevent skin cancer. They break down the different types of skin cancer, including <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/basal-cell-carcinoma">basal cell carcinoma</a>, <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/squamous-cell-carcinoma">squamous cell carcinoma</a>, and <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/melanoma">melanoma</a>. They also hear from Jocelyn, a Hispanic melanoma survivor who shares her surprise of being diagnosed with melanoma despite her Hispanic background, emphasizing the importance of routine skin checks for people of all skin types.
Episode Chapters:
1:30 - Types of skin cancer
4:39 - Who's most at risk?
7:13 - Warning signs to look out for
10:25 - What darker skin populations need to know
13:25 - Sun protection myths and tips

What Everyone Should Know About Skin Cancer: Risks, Myths & Prevention

In this episode (part 1 of 2), Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with a team of MSK experts to demystify three breast cancer treatment options: surgery, radiation, and reconstruction. Breast surgeon Dr. Tracy-Ann Moo explains the difference between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy, and why one isn’t always better than the other. Radiation oncologist Dr. Michael Bernstein discusses the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of breast cancer. Plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Michelle Coriddi describes various breast reconstruction and preservation techniques, which can help patients maintain a positive body image after treatment.

Subscribe to Cancer Straight Talk to be notified when Part 2 airs, covering chemotherapy, hormone therapy and survivorship for people with breast cancer.

Episode Highlights:
1:27 - Surgery
7:36 - Radiation
15:10 - Reconstruction 

In this episode (part 1 of 2), <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/diane-reidy-lagunes">Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes</a> speaks with a team of MSK experts to demystify three <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/breast">breast cancer</a> treatment options: <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/breast/treatment/surgery">surgery</a>, <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/breast/treatment/radiation-therapy">radiation</a>, and <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/breast/reconstruction-prosthesis">reconstruction</a>. Breast surgeon <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/tracy-ann-moo">Dr. Tracy-Ann Moo</a> explains the difference between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy, and why one isn’t always better than the other. Radiation oncologist <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/michael-bernstein">Dr. Michael Bernstein</a> discusses the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of breast cancer. Plastic and reconstructive surgeon <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/michelle-coriddi">Dr. Michelle Coriddi</a> describes various breast reconstruction and preservation techniques, which can help patients maintain a positive body image after treatment.
Subscribe to Cancer Straight Talk to be notified when Part 2 airs, covering <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/breast/treatment/systemic-therapy/chemotherapy">chemotherapy</a>, <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/breast/treatment/systemic-therapy/hormone-therapy">hormone therapy</a> and <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/breast/living-beyond-breast-cancer">survivorship</a> for people with breast cancer.
Episode Highlights: 1:27 - Surgery 7:36 - Radiation 15:10 - Reconstruction

Breast Cancer Treatment Part 1: Understanding Surgery, Radiation and Reconstruction

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Comen, author of "All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Health and Why It Matters Today." They discuss ways to empower women to advocate for their health when talking to doctors, and how a historic gender bias in medical research has influenced practices today. Tune in for an insightful conversation on tackling stigmas and reshaping the narrative around women's health.

Listen to Episode 12: "A Woman's Guide to Sex and Cancer"

Listen to Episode 30: "Achieving Excellent Healthcare for All: A Candid Conversation with MSK’s President & CEO, Dr. Selwyn Vickers"

In this episode, <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/diane-reidy-lagunes">Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes</a> sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Comen, author of "All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Health and Why It Matters Today." They discuss ways to empower women to advocate for their health when talking to doctors, and how a historic <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/about/leadership/office-health-equity">gender bias</a> in medical research has influenced practices today. Tune in for an insightful conversation on tackling stigmas and reshaping the narrative around women's health.
Listen to Episode 12: <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/videos/woman-guide-sex-and-cancer">"A Woman's Guide to Sex and Cancer"</a>
Listen to Episode 30: <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/videos/achieving-excellent-healthcare-for-all-candid-conversation-msk-president-ceo-dr-selwyn-vickers">"Achieving Excellent Healthcare for All: A Candid Conversation with MSK’s President &amp; CEO, Dr. Selwyn Vickers"</a>

Katie Couric’s Cancer Journey: From Grief to Advocacy to Her Own Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Cancer Straight Talk

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