A News Anchor Takes On Pancreatic Cancer
- Beloved NY1 news anchor Ruschell Boone hasn’t been seen behind the desk for a few days and now we know why: the station announced Boone has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
- Boone took to her Instagram account to give her viewers an update, saying she has just started chemotherapy and is feeling optimistic.
- Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease that is difficult to detect because symptoms including jaundice and weight loss typically present at a later stage in the cancer's development.
In a statement posted to their website, NY1 wished Ruschell Boone well and asked viewed to do the same, saying Boone would likely share her journey on social media "when the time comes."
Read MoreYou may have noticed that our Ruschell Boone hasn’t been at the anchor desk at NY1 recently. That's because Ruschell is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. Ruschell, everyone here wishes you the best, and we can't wait for you to come back. pic.twitter.com/FPCatKUFN3
Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) July 11, 2022
Boone herself took to her Instagram account to give her loyal viewers an update. On Monday, she posted a photo of herself getting her first round of chemotherapy, which she called the "start of a new beginning."
"I've experienced a lot of highs and lows in the last few months and this is a tough one. I've been diagnosed with early stage pancreatic cancer. Doctors discovered the tumor on my pancreas a few weeks ago and it has been a whirlwind ever since," she wrote. "I must admit, I lost my trademark smile over the last few weeks, but it's back today. I'm scared, but very upbeat. It's going to be a long hard road, but it's filled with a lot of positives and a good prognosis, that I will share later. I am very lucky this was caught early."
"My family, friends and colleagues have been amazing. I can't thank them enough. I work at an incredible place with incredible people. Thank you for always supporting and rooting for me. I'll take some prayers too on this one. A special thank you to my husband who has been up and down with me around the clock."
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What Is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease that is difficult to detect because symptoms including jaundice and weight loss typically present at a later stage in the cancer's development. In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Anirban Maitra, the co-leader of the Pancreatic Cancer Moon Shot at MD Anderson Cancer Center, explains what he typically sees when patients develop this disease.
"Because the pancreas is inside the abdomen often doesn't have symptoms that would tell you that something is wrong with your pancreas," he says. "By the time individuals walk into the clinic with symptoms like jaundice, weight loss, back pain or diabetes, it's often very late in the stage of the disease."
Challenges To Screening For Pancreatic Cancer
Parents, siblings and children of someone with pancreatic cancer are considered high risk for developing the disease because they are first-degree relatives of the individual. PGVs (pathogenic germline variants) are changes in reproductive cells (sperm or egg) that become part of the DNA in the cells of the offspring. Germline variants are passed from parents to their children, and are associated with increased risks of several cancer types, including pancreatic, ovarian and breast cancers. Germline mutations in ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CKDN2A, PALB2, PRSS1, STK11 and TP53 are associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
Jessica Everett, a genetic counselor at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center, encourages people in this category to look into possible screening options.
"If you're concerned about pancreatic cancer in your family, start by talking to a genetic counselor to learn more about your risk and what options you have," Everett said.
With files from Abigail Seaberg
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