ESPN's Hannah Storm Announces Breast Cancer Diagnosis

ESPN SportsCenter host Hannah Storm has announced that she's been diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Speaking on Good Morning America this morning, the 61-year-old longtime sports journalist explained how she was ‘in shock’ when doctors broke the difficult news.

STORM HAD NO PRIOR RISK FACTORS

Storm says that she was diagnosed in January with ductal carcinoma in situ, also known as DCIS; fortunately it's one of the earliest forms of breast cancer and has not spread to other tissues in the body.

"I was shocked because, again, I had mammograms every year. I have no risk factors. I have no breast cancer in my family. I did not have a lump. I did not have pain. I don’t have any genetic predisposition to breast cancer," Storm told GMA's Robin Roberts. "And what I came to learn is the vast majority of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer don’t have risk factors, and so I’ve got to say I was shocked. I was scared."

ESPN's Hannah Storm at the 2023 ESPY Awards. (Photo by David Livingston/FilmMagic)

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IMPORTANCE OF GETTING MAMMOGRAMS

According to the Mayo Clinic, women should consult with doctors about having a mammogram at the age of 40, while all are recommended to have one annually after the age of 50.

Fortunately, doctors found the cancer early. Storm says she underwent a lumpectomy and is currently cancer-free but will be taking a hormone medication called tamoxifen that is used to reduce a more serious type of breast cancer from forming.

 She says she will also be under observation for the next couple of years.