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- Kate Walsh, known for her roles in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice,” discusses the personal impact of cancer in her life.
- She lost both parents to cancer and faced her own health scare with the disease.
- The actress from “Emily in Paris” is raising awareness about the necessity of early cancer screenings.
Actress Kate Walsh, who has received numerous awards, has experienced the profound effects of cancer firsthand. In 2015, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 48.
“Fortunately, it was benign and I was able to have it surgically removed, and I’ve been quite healthy since then,” stated Walsh, who made a recent guest appearance in the third season of “Emily in Paris.”
Years before her own health scare, one of Walsh’s closest friends from high school lost her battle with breast cancer.
“She battled breast cancer multiple times and ultimately passed away at just 44. It was devastating to lose her at such a young age,” Walsh shared with Healthline.
Walsh’s journey with cancer began in her early adulthood when her father was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and given a prognosis of six months to live. At the time, she was only 23.
“He managed to survive for a year and a half, which gave me precious time with him, but living in another state made losing my father at such a young age especially traumatic,” she reflected.
Years later, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 62. “It started with irregular cells and lumpectomies, eventually leading to a double mastectomy. Thankfully, she remained cancer-free for nearly three decades, which was a blessing,” Walsh recalled.
At the time of her mother’s diagnosis, Walsh was 28 and felt compelled to get a screening mammogram. “I really had to advocate for myself to get my mammogram and ultrasound due to my mother’s history,” she explained.
“This governing body provides evidence-based recommendations regarding cancer prevention and overall health,” highlighted Dr. David Cohn, a gynecologic oncologist and interim CEO at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“Historically, their recommendations have influenced insurance coverage for any recommended testing,” Dr. Cohn informed Healthline.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) notes that certain multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests can provide insights into the specific organ affected by cancer, while others might only indicate the presence of cancer, requiring further tests or imaging to identify the source of abnormal DNA or proteins.
“This technology wasn’t available to my parents or even to my generation,” Walsh observed. “Now at 57, witnessing the evolution of tests that can detect various cancers through a simple blood draw is astounding. Early detection is vital as it opens up more treatment options.”
While MCED tests show great potential for early cancer detection, they have not yet received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Experts stress the need for more research to determine the best application of these tests in clinical practice.
“Public health experts are concerned that these tests might widen health disparities if equity isn’t prioritized during their development,” Dr. Cohn explained. “Minority groups are often underrepresented in clinical trials and cancer screening data, which are crucial for advancing these technologies.”
When Walsh’s father was diagnosed with lung cancer, she was enjoying a carefree lifestyle in her 20s, working on television and neglecting her health. However, her mother’s cancer diagnosis prompted her to change her lifestyle.
“At 48, you come to realize that you can’t sustain that lifestyle indefinitely,” Walsh said. “I turned to meditation, prioritized fitness, and engaged in outdoor activities like skiing.”
Today, Walsh adheres to expert-recommended strategies to lower her cancer risk, including maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutritious diet, limiting alcohol intake, avoiding tobacco, using sunscreen, managing stress effectively, and ensuring quality sleep.
“Prevention is essential, and making healthier lifestyle choices can help reduce inflammation in the body and lower the overall risk of cancer,” Dr. Cohn concluded.
