Actress and television host Maria Menounos has revealed that she successfully battled pancreatic cancer earlier this year. Menounos, who was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer in January, recently underwent surgery to remove a 3.9-cm tumor. In an interview with People magazine, the former E! News host shared her mission to encourage others to seek answers to their health problems, stating, “I need people to know there are places they can go to catch things early. I caught this early enough.”
Menounos, 44, announced the news of her recovery on Instagram, thanking everyone for their love and support throughout her health journey. The TV host also reflected on the past year, which included being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and preparing to welcome her first child via surrogate with husband Keven Undergaro.
Pancreatic cancer is a disease that forms in the tissues of the pancreas, an organ in the abdomen that produces hormones and enzymes that aid digestion. According to the Mayo Clinic, pancreatic cancer often goes undetected until it has spread to other parts of the body. However, Menounos hopes her story will inspire others to take charge of their health and catch potential health issues early.
