In a deeply personal revelation, Amanda Doyle, sister of renowned author Glennon Doyle, has shared her recent breast cancer diagnosis. The news was disclosed on the May 14th episode of the popular podcast We Can Do Hard Things, co-hosted by Amanda, Glennon, and Glennon’s wife, soccer icon Abby Wambach. Amanda’s candid announcement not only sheds light on her personal health journey but also serves as a powerful message about the importance of proactive health measures and early detection.
Speaking on the podcast, Amanda, 45, described the initial shock and uncertainty that followed the biopsy results three weeks prior. “Three weeks ago I was informed that a biopsy that I had revealed breast cancer,” she stated, conveying the emotional rollercoaster that ensued. “The first couple of weeks were very much a rollercoaster of, ‘What does that mean? How bad is it? What is the prognosis?’ All of that,” Amanda explained, capturing the universal anxieties associated with such diagnoses. She poignantly added, “It’s just kind of a doozy. I don’t know that it’s ever not surprising to people to learn something like this.”
Amanda’s perspective is deeply informed by personal experience. Having witnessed a friend succumb to cancer just six months prior, she expressed her concerns about late-stage diagnoses. This experience fueled her proactive approach to her own health. “I just remember thinking over and over what absolute horse s— it is and why I think it doesn’t make sense that people only find out about their cancer when it’s too late,” Amanda shared, highlighting the frustration and urgency she felt regarding early detection.
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Driven by a desire for early intervention, Amanda opted for genetic testing. When the results indicated a heightened cancer risk, she sought further consultation at a cancer prevention facility. There, she learned about her significantly elevated risk due to breast density and family history. “Because of the density of my breasts and because of our family history, they had me at three times the average for the likelihood of developing cancer sometime in my life,” Amanda revealed on the podcast.
This knowledge prompted medical professionals to recommend a baseline MRI, despite Amanda’s regular mammogram screenings. It was this MRI that ultimately led to the detection of cancer and her subsequent diagnosis. Recounting the moment she received the news while on family vacation, Amanda said, “I was just sitting on the side of the road with my cellphone and it was very eerie and odd,” she recalled. “I remember being like, ‘Holy sh—, I saved my life.’”
Amanda’s proactive measures underscore a crucial point: early detection can be life-saving. Expressing a mix of emotions, she stated, “I was so angry and frustrated and just incredulous that this is the way it works. You get sick or you feel some intense pain or this tumor breaks a bone in your body and that’s how you find out you have cancer,” she continued. “I felt a very overwhelming sense of gratitude that that wasn’t the case and that the thing that I really really didn’t want to happen, wasn’t going to happen.”
Following the diagnosis, further tests altered the initial prognosis. Amanda learned that a lumpectomy was not suitable, and a mastectomy was necessary. She shared that she is scheduled to undergo a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction in the coming week. Post-surgery, doctors will determine if radiation or other treatments will be required. Despite the need for significant surgery, doctors have reassured Amanda that due to early detection, her cancer is “not a threat to my life at all.”
Amanda is using her platform to advocate for regular screenings and plans to further discuss breast cancer prevention on their podcast. She also posted a video on Glennon and Abby’s Instagram, emphasizing the power of sharing during challenging times, inspired by Glennon’s philosophy of “sharing from the messy middle.” Amanda stated, “I’ve learned from Glennon that there is power in sharing from the messy middle and not waiting until you’re on the other side of things. And we’re certainly not on the other side of this but we’ll get there,” she said in the clip. Her message is one of solidarity and prevention: “In the meantime I want to make sure that all of you who are walking through this know that you are seen and honored. And I also want to do what I can to try and prevent other people from having to go through this.”
Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women in the U.S., excluding skin cancers. The National Cancer Institute highlights that mammograms are vital for early detection, improving treatment outcomes and reducing the risk of the cancer spreading. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women begin regular mammograms at age 40. Health experts also emphasize “breast self-awareness,” encouraging women to familiarize themselves with their breasts’ normal appearance and feel to detect any abnormalities through self-exams.
Amanda Doyle’s decision to share her breast cancer journey is a courageous act of public service. By openly discussing her diagnosis and proactive approach, she is amplifying the critical message of early detection and breast cancer awareness, potentially saving lives through education and encouragement.
