ABC News Reporter's Decision to Accept This Unorthodox Assignment May Have Saved Her Life

Six weeks ago a producer asked ABC News reporter Amy Robach if she would perform the first-ever live television mammogram. After initial hesitation, she agreed. That assignment would ultimately change her life.

ABC News’ Amy Robach. (Image source: Screen shot via ABC News)

"[O]n Oct. 1, I had my first mammogram, in front of millions of people, Robach said, in a column published Monday. "After breathing a big sigh of relief once it was done, my breath was taken away only a few weeks later."

[sharequote align="center"]“I was alone that afternoon...never thinking that day would be life-altering."[/sharequote]

Robach said she was then called back in for a few follow-up images when she learned she had breast cancer.

"I was alone that afternoon, never thinking to bring anyone with me, never thinking that day would be life-altering," she wrote. "My husband was on a business trip and my parents live across the country, but that night everyone flew into New York City and we started gearing up for a fight."

According to doctors, that early diagnosis saved her life.

"And while everyone who gets cancer is clearly unlucky, I got lucky by catching it early, and there are so many people to thank for making sure I did," Robach said. "Every producer, every person who urged me to do this, changed my trajectory."

She added that while she has a long journey ahead, she will be forever grateful for that particular news assignment.

"I know that I have a fight ahead of me," Robach said. "But I also know that I have a lot worth fighting for. And I am so grateful that I got that mammogram that day at GMA."

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