NBC News' Andrea Mitchell Reveals Breast Cancer Battle

Fellow journalists tweet their support as NBC's chief foreign affairs correspondent calls her prognosis "excellent"

By Natalie Finn Sep 07, 2011 10:00 PMTags
Andrea MitchellLeigh Vogel/Getty Images for Colonial Williamsburg

There's a lot of love in Andrea Mitchell's corner right now.

NBC News' chief foreign affairs correspondent—and wife of former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan—revealed on the air today that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

But, happily, her prognosis is "excellent," she said toward the end of the hour on Andrea Mitchell Reports on MSNBC.

"I had planned to be hiking in Wyoming last week, but instead discovered that I am now among the 1 in 8 women in this country—incredibly 1 in 8—who have had breast cancer," said Mitchell, 64.

The veteran newswoman said her doctor caught the cancer in its earliest stage during her annual screening.

"I'm looking at this as another of life's lessons," Mitchell added. "For you women out there, and the men who love you, screening matters. Do it. This disease can be completely curable if you find it at the right time."

Moments later, support from fellow journalists started flying her way via that oh-so-popular form of news dissemination: Twitter.

"Thoughts and love to Andrea Mitchell," tweeted Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington.

"Andrea Mitchell once again shares her gifts of toughness and tenacity. Add to that courage. Love and prayers to my friend," wrote PBS NewsHour's Gwen Ifill.

Added PBS' Judy Woodruff: "a big hug for my dear buddy Andrea Mitchell anchor of NBC's @MitchellReports - one amazing woman."

"Andrea Mitchell is one of the bravest women I know and always an inspiration. She's proved that again today @mitchellreports," concluded CBS News' chief White House correspondent Norah O'Donnell.

Mitchell, who just before her announcement had been tweeting along about politics and other current events, took the time to answer each of her well-wishers personally.

"Thanks so much for all the love and thoughtfulness," she wrote to Huffington. "I'm blessed with the best caring friends colleagues and family."

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