In memory
Remembering Cokie Roberts and Understanding Breast Cancer
Journalist Cokie Roberts died in 2019 of complications from breast cancer, which she lived with for years. Here is what breast cancer means, explained plainly.
Please note: this page is educational only — it is not medical advice, and it does not speculate about anyone’s health beyond reliable public reporting. For questions about your own health, talk with your healthcare team.
On screen
Cokie Roberts, the longtime political journalist and analyst for NPR and ABC News, died on September 17, 2019, at age 75. Her family shared that she died of complications from breast cancer, which she had lived with for many years. She had been a public advocate for cancer survivors during that time. She is remembered for her sharp reporting, her warmth, and her decades covering American politics.
That is what her family chose to share. We remember her with respect and do not speculate about private medical details.
The reality
According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer forms in the tissues of the breast, and it is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer. NCI notes that mammograms can detect breast cancer early, possibly before it has spread.
NCI also explains a related idea that often comes up in stories where someone lives with breast cancer for years: cancer can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body. Breast cancer that has spread is still called breast cancer and is treated as such. Understanding this helps make sense of how the disease is diagnosed, named, and managed over time.
What the story gets right — and what to remember
Roberts's long life with breast cancer is a reminder that some people live with the disease for many years while remaining active and engaged. But every person's situation is different — the type of breast cancer, how it behaves, and how it responds to treatment all vary. Her story is a window into one woman's journey — not a forecast for anyone else, and not medical advice.
Awareness, screening & prevention
NCI highlights that mammograms can detect breast cancer early, sometimes before it can be felt or has spread — which is why breast cancer is one of the cancers with well-established screening. Deciding when and how often to have a mammogram is a personal decision to make with a healthcare professional, based on your age, history, and risk. Our free screening check-up tool can help you see when that conversation might make sense for you.
Turning a story into something useful
Cokie Roberts used her own experience to support other cancer survivors. Honoring that spirit can be as simple as learning what breast cancer is, understanding that screening can help find it early, and sharing accurate information with the people you love. Supporting free cancer education helps that understanding reach more people.
Questions to ask a healthcare team
- At what age should I start breast cancer screening, given my history?
- How often should I have a mammogram, and are other tests recommended for me?
- Does my family history change my risk or my screening plan?
- What changes in my body should prompt me to reach out sooner?