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Meredith Vieira showed viewers the importance of getting a yearly mammogram by broadcasting her very own appointment in a very powerful segment that aired Friday.
Vieira admitted that despite her mother and grandmother both having had breast cancer, she avoided going for a routine mammogram for years out of fear and a "no news is good news" mentality. She said on the "Today" show Monday that she decided to record her appointment to make sure that other women did not make the same mistake.
“I think I thought if I didn’t go, no harm could happen to me,” she said. “It’s total illogic.”
Vieira was joined by her friend and supervising producer of “The Meredith Vieira Show," Angela LaGreca. It had been two years since Vieira had last gotten a mammogram, and five years for LaGreca. Cameras followed both women as they got their mammograms and subsequent ultra sounds.
While Vieira's screening was clear, her friend unfortunately had to get a biopsy and received news that she has a small, invasive form of breast cancer and will need to undergo chemotherapy.
LaGreca expressed on "Today" how grateful she is that Vieira brought her to get the mammogram.
“I literally owe Meredith my life," she said.
Watch the video to see the full segment.