A misty-eyed Robin Roberts shared some unexpected news with “Good Morning America” viewers Tuesday morning -- she has breast cancer and will undergo surgery Friday.
Ms. Roberts said she is “very blessed. I found it early.”
Crediting the late “GMA” movie critic Joel Siegel, she said it was on the day two weeks ago when the extended “GMA” family paid tribute to Mr. Siegel that she found a lump.
Mr. Siegel had fought colon cancer for several years and had campaigned for early diagnosis.
“Joel was resonating in my ears,” Ms. Roberts said of her resolve to get the lump checked out instead of ignoring it.
The cancer is in the early stages, she said.
“I will have surgery on Friday, begin treatment and move forward as millions of people do when they hear this,” Ms. Roberts said, noting that she, like 80 percent of the 250,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer every year, has no history of the disease in her family.
Holding hands with co-anchor Diane Sawyer, Ms. Roberts also noted another way in which she is blessed -- good insurance that covered a mammogram, which, in this case, did not detect the cancer, and ultrasound technology, which did find it.
“God is good all the time,” Ms. Roberts said with composure as she shared the news with viewers.
“It would be hard not to let people know,” said Ms. Roberts, who did not say what her treatment will consist of.
But she vowed, “I will get up like everybody else. I will go to work. I will say ‘Good Morning America.’ I will have my good days and my bad days, so be kind to me on the message boards when I have my bad days and the hair is kind of … “
Ms. Sawyer used Ms. Roberts’ recently published book to wrap up the segment.
“The woman who gave us seven rules for our lives has demonstrated every one of them for us through this and more to come,” said Ms. Sawyer.
“I have an eighth rule: early detection. Early detection,” said Ms. Roberts.
Then she let out a “whooh” of relief.
A half hour later she was buoyantly interviewing kids who have lost weight as participants of the ABC reality series “Shaq’s Big Challenge.”
(Editor: Robbins)
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Fark 
StumbleUpon 
Comments (35)
I'm very happy for her they found it early,I'll still say a prayer you Good Luck Robin!! Dave in Detroit.
Posted by D Lefforge | July 31, 2007 8:12 AM
May God bless and protect you through these trying times. I will be praying for you also
Posted by Winston Lancaster | July 31, 2007 8:33 AM
May God bless you and take care of you
I pray everyday will be better & better
My Love to you
Debra in Miami
Posted by Debra | July 31, 2007 8:47 AM
Your viewers/friends are with you -- in thoughts and prayers. You are part of our family and you can be assured that you will be an inspiration to other women to go for "early detection." God Bless
Posted by Alma | July 31, 2007 8:51 AM
Keep your diary Robin. It will be your friend.
I had early stage breast cancer and was treated with radiation and chemo. That was in 1989.
God Bless you and keep the faith.
Posted by Sharon | July 31, 2007 9:04 AM
Dear Robin, Rely on your faith and great sense of humor to get you through the tough times. I wish you a speedy recovery. Regards, Richard in Tampa.
Posted by richard | July 31, 2007 9:07 AM
Robin:
I survived brain surgery for a bleeding anuerysm 10 years ago. At this point in your diagnosis and treatment, life is at its lowest point. Assume that you will make full recovery and take one day at a time.
Posted by mangoboy | July 31, 2007 9:21 AM
I am a big fan of yours. I had my biopsy last Friday and got my results this morning. Benign. I will now keep you in my prayers...always know you have a prayer warrior in Tennessee.
Hebrews 4:16---> "Let us therfore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Posted by Joy | July 31, 2007 9:27 AM
Robin,
You are such an inspiration and send so much positive energy to your viewing audience. It is our turn to send positive energy to you. You will be in my meditation every morning. As my Mom always said; "This too shall pass".
Posted by shawn | July 31, 2007 9:31 AM
Dear Robin,
Keep the faith. I just finished my chemo in April for lung cancer. You project yourself as quite strong and you will get through this. Things will get rough but you can handle it. God bless and keep you. I will pray for you.
Posted by Deborah DAmico-Boswell | July 31, 2007 9:47 AM
as a survior..life will be different..thats just the way it is......every day is a new day...
a new journey....
you are a great role model to us all...
Posted by meredith | July 31, 2007 9:51 AM
Robin, You have the will power and determination to get through this. You are an inspiration to all women! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted by Lisa & Lolita | July 31, 2007 10:26 AM
I simply wanted to thank you for being who and what you are.. A wonderful example to follow in these times. My son is now trying to recover from throat cancer and God has truly blessed us.
I would very much like to crochet/knit you a hat to wear if you are interested. I knitted up a storm and made hats for anyone that wanted one while I waited for our son to finish chemo. A very special breed of people they are, not to mention the beautiful people that took care of him at Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, Virginia.
God bless you and know you are in my prayers
Jackie
Posted by Jackie | July 31, 2007 10:33 AM
Cancer is the great equalizer. You and I have very different incomes and lives, yet now we are sisters, sharing a common struggle. I have lived with breast cancer for nine years. I know it will always be a part of my life, but I feel God's strength in me. I will pray for you and all others that our struggling with cancer.
Posted by Kathleen | July 31, 2007 10:38 AM
You will be ok. Think positive. My wife is an eight year survivor. You are in my prayers.
Posted by Mike Vasquez | July 31, 2007 10:40 AM
Hi Robin,
You helped save my grand daughter Courtney Linde when her husband, John Linde, Jr. was killed in Gaza (roadside bomb) in 2003. (TV interview) He took a dangerous job to pay for her cancer treatments. Today she is doing amazingly well. (Engaged, getting her certificate in deep sea diving and winning awards in the Air Force) Support is critical at difficult times. I know you have amazing support to help you overcome this crisis. We send you our love...
P.S. You can read my intro to Courtney in my "new book" on my website. www.StephanieLMann.com
Posted by Stephanie Mann | July 31, 2007 10:50 AM
I hope all goes well. My very best wishes for a successful operation and speedy recovery.
Posted by A | July 31, 2007 10:51 AM
Dear Robin,
So sorry to hear about your cancer. You are a strong woman and it is that strengh that will get you through this.You are in my thoughts and prayers. Continue to be an ispiration to all the women out there.
God Bless for a speedy recover.
Posted by Eileen | July 31, 2007 10:52 AM
Remember, from this day forward each day will be a gift. May God be with you each step of the way.
Posted by Estella | July 31, 2007 11:54 AM
Robin:
I am a survivor of breast cancer. It has been a year since my diagnosis, but I truly feel I have been blessed. I too found a lump in my breast and the first thought in my mind was to get it checked out. It has been an emotional year, but I am so thankful I had early detection and an excellent prognosis. Keep the faith and keep that beautiful smile because you will be alright. God is good!
Posted by karol | July 31, 2007 11:55 AM
Dear Robin,
Sorry to hear about your cancer, but you are a strong person and you will get through this. I look forward to watching you on gma long after your better. god bless.
dina
Posted by DINA SALERNO | July 31, 2007 11:55 AM
What does her lesbian partner think of this?
Posted by Lesbians R Us | July 31, 2007 12:44 PM
God bless you Robin and "You will be in my prayers".
Posted by Millard | July 31, 2007 12:50 PM
Robin,
We are all praying for you. Referencing Lesbians R US your comment is uncalled for.
Posted by Freddy | July 31, 2007 12:58 PM
May God bless you and let us keep you.
Posted by Vanis | July 31, 2007 1:20 PM
Robin - I am a five year survivor of breast cancer and you will be too! Keep the faith.
Posted by Laura | July 31, 2007 1:22 PM
Robin-
God luck and God Bless. You are in my prayers.
Phil K.
Posted by Philip Kerler | July 31, 2007 1:22 PM
Robin I had breast cancer in 1978 and I am still going strong at the age of 66. I believe that attitude is so very important--and with your positive attitude--you will be fine. Take care and keep smiling! Nancy
Posted by nancy wells | July 31, 2007 1:34 PM
Robin, I reluctantly "welcome you to the sisterhood"! I was diagnosed 3 years ago, have had chemo, surgery, and radiation and am doing fine! It is at this time you will discover just how incredibly strong you are. With faith and thousands of us by your side, it's time to "put on the armor and go to war"! It's not easy, but you will be fine. Stay positive and keep that beautiful smile! We're with you in spirit always!! Bonnie
Posted by Bonnie Oyer | July 31, 2007 1:39 PM
Robin,
You are my sister in my head, I'm so proud of you. You are a fighter, you are such an inspiration to so many people. You are believer in god and he will see you through. You are going to be fine. Good luck and God Bless.
Posted by Bert C. | July 31, 2007 1:43 PM
Godspeed John Glenn, godspeed
Posted by Sundarlal Chuddha | July 31, 2007 2:59 PM
Robin, I'm praying for you. Early detection is the key. It was 4 years today that my Sister Ella died of cancer she didn't follow up soon enough on her lump. My mom is a breast cancer survivor of 25 years. She had a scare if January
but they caught it in time and she under treatment. She's also 80 years old and still very
much alive and active. I had a scare in 2005 but it was benign. I'm going this Friday for my mamo because i missed it last year. You are strong you have faith god he will see you through this. I will include you in my daily family prayer. Love you keep smiling.
Posted by Barb Smith | July 31, 2007 3:06 PM
Robin,
God is good- all the time. When I was anxious about beginning my radiation therapy, a friend said to me, "You're a Christian right? You believe God when He says, 'I will be with you always.' right? ... So what do you think is going to happen now? Is He going to walk you up to the radiation door and let you go in alone? - "See ya! I'll be here when you get back!"
The realization that He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother was my source of strength and comfort. I pray that you too will be blessed in such a way.
Live strong and be encouraged!
God is good always and all ways. :)
Posted by Kathy Jones | August 1, 2007 11:03 AM
Robin,
I'm so sorry to hear that you have this trying road ahead of you. However, you will CONQUER!! You're a positive, upbeat person who exudes enthusiasm, intelligence, grace and inner/outer beauty! I'm certain that you have the strength, even on days when you're not so sure, to WIN THE BATTLE!!!
I live near Orlando and have seen you speaking to Vanessa and Bob on WFTV. She has gone through this herself and I’m certain she will be an inspiration to you Robin. She’s a pure joy to watch in the mornings.
I'll pray that you remain strong, both physically and emotionally! You’re fortunate to have the support of your wonderful friends and family.
I’m a Human Resources Manager and work very closely with our employees when they’re ill. Don’t let your insurance company give you any grief through this process!!!
God Bless you all,
Faithful morning viewer for many, many years!!
Yvette
Posted by Yvette Strickland | August 1, 2007 12:27 PM
Robin.
This January will be 5 years since my breast cancer surgery. I handed it up to God and he took care of me. Robin God will take care of you too. Be strong gain as much knowledge as you can that also helped me it gave me some control. I will continue to pray for you, may God bless you.
RoseMarie winter park Florida
Posted by RoseMarie Breitenbruck | August 2, 2007 10:45 AM