Maria’s battle with a brain tumor in 2017,
NOW Maria Menounos reveals she beat pancreatic cancer after early detection:
‘So lucky’ Maria Menounos Today.com May 3 2023 – Search (bing.com)
Maria Menounos has revealed that she beat pancreatic cancer
after an early diagnosis in January.
And now, she’s advocating for others to be proactive about their health.
The 44-year-old former E! News correspondent opened up about her experience
fighting and beating cancer in a People interview published Wednesday.
Her battle arrives as she and husband Keven Undergaro are preparing for
the birth of their first child via surrogate. Early detection, she said, saved her.
“I need people to know there are places they can go to catch things early,”
the “Heal Squad” podcast host told the outlet.
“You can’t let fear get in the way.
I had that moment where I thought I was a goner—but I’m okay because
I caught this early enough.” Menounos has dealt with a series of health complications:
Including a brain tumor half a decade ago, and a type 1 diabetes diagnosis.
But she prevailed overall, having the brain tumor removed, and improving her
glucose levels by taking insulin and following a specific diet, she told People.
She felt she was doing really well by last October.
But a month later, she found herself back in the hospital with abdominal
pain and diarrhea. After testing and a CT scan, doctors found nothing.
“They said, ‘Everything’s fine.’ But I kept having pains,” she told People.
As her pain continued, she looked for answers and turned to a full-body MRI scan with a company called Prenuvo, which offers scans to the public for a fee. She said the scan found a 3.9 centimeter mass on her pancreas and a biopsy showed that the mass was a Stage 2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, which was found to be cancerous.
“I’m like ‘How in the freaking world can I have a brain tumor and pancreatic cancer?'”
Menounos told People. “All I could think was that I had a baby coming.”
The announcement Maria Menounos announces she’s expecting
a baby after a ‘decade’ of trying: ‘I’m so grateful’
Menounos said she is ‘so lucky’
A pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor has the ability to spread and metastasis but is less common and typically comes with a better prognosis than the more commonly found pancreatic cancer which is rooted in a different kind of tumor called pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, James Farrell, gastrointestinal oncology specialist with Yale Cancer Center, told USA TODAY Wednesday.
On February 16, Menounos had surgery to remove the mass, a portion of her pancreas,
a large fibroid, her spleen and more than a dozen lymph nodes. Menounos does not need additional treatment, just a once yearly scan going forward for five years.
Menounos reiterated her gratitude on Instagram Wednesday.
“Obviously, there’s so much to say about this and what I’ve gone through these last
few months, and even year,” she wrote. “First, dealing with the diabetes diagnosis last summer, second (my other miracle) preparing for my soon to be newborn baby and third, pancreas cancer. I still haven’t come to grips with it all, including the fact that so very few even survive pancreatic cancer.”
Related video: Maria Menounos on missed symptoms of pancreatic cancer (TODAY),
She added that she plans to use her platform to share more information with the hope
of saving others. Jerry Springer had pancreatic cancer:
What to know about symptoms, causes, more
Pancreatic cancer has low survival rates.
“The early detection of pancreatic tumors is a key to improving the overall survival
for this disease,” Farrell said, noting Menounos was “very lucky” that her tumor was found. Pancreatic cancer makes up 3% of cancer diagnoses in the U.S. and 7% of cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Pancreatic cancer’s 5-year relative survival rate across all stages is estimated to be 12% based on a number of factors.
An estimated 50,550 people will die this year from the disease which claimed the lives of Jerry Springer, Alex Trebek, Aretha Franklin, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and other public figures. Steve Jobs – Search (bing.com)
Part of that low rate comes from a lack of cost-effective screenings that can reliably
detect cancer in people without notable symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose.
“The majority of pancreatic tumors present at a stage that they cannot be removed
surgically which offers the best chance of cure,” Farrell said.
Because the pancreas is located deep in the abdomen, pancreatic tumors may develop and grow for a period before people become symptomatic. And most symptoms are not specific to the pancreas, Farrell said pointing to abdominal pain, back pain, jaundice, weight loss and depression adding that some patients present with pancreatitis or newly onset diabetes which could result in further investigation to rule out a pancreatic tumor.
Most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Most people diagnosed with the cancer are not candidates for surgery because the cancer has metastasized – spread outside of the pancreas to other parts of the body.
What to know about Prunovo MRI scans
Prenuvo, the company Menounos credited for finding the mass, offers body scans starting at $999. A full-body scan costs $2499. Booking is available through the company website with locations in New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago and a couple of other major cities, too, with additional facilities in more cities set to open within this year and next.
“This is not a new concept of people walking in off the streets and getting scans.
For a long time, executive health physicals would offer this, it’s not covered by insurance,” Farrell said. “In the past, CT scan was used, MRI is considered safer because of the lack of radiation.”
While early detection is key to survival, Farrell said current clinical guidelines don’t include recommendations for CT scans or MRI scans for pancreatic tumors in patients who are low risk and asymptomatic.
That said “we do (recommend) pancreatic imaging with CT scan or MRI imaging, and in certain individuals an invasive test called an endoscopic ultrasound for people who are considered at an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer,” Farrell said, pointing to factors like family history, genetic predispositions, pancreatic cysts and type 2 diabetes, which is newly accepted as a risk factor.
Walking into a private imaging center like Prenuvo could prompt another issue if you are asymptomatic, according to Farrell. In some instances, patients may find something at an early stage but “for the vast majority of people that is not the case.” Instead, the process could result in a lot of worry for asymptomatic patients and force the patient and doctor to undergo more workups without yielding anything significant.
The American College of Radiation released a statement on total body MRI screenings in April noting that the organization “at this time, does not believe there is sufficient evidence to justify recommending total body screening for patients with no clinical symptoms, risk factors or a family history suggesting underlying disease or serious injury.”
If you have symptoms, Farrell recommends seeing a healthcare professional.
#Healthsquad – Maria Menounes – Search (bing.com)
mariamenounos Verified
Obviously, there’s so much to say about this and what I’ve gone through these last few months, and even years. First, dealing with the diabetes diagnosis last summer, second (my other miracle) preparing for my soon to be newborn baby and third, pancreas cancer. I still haven’t come to grips with it all, including the fact that so very few even survive pancreatic cancer.
I have SO much information and SO many breakthroughs that I think/hope can save others. I plan to share everything on my podcast and on as many platforms as I can.
For now, I’ll say how grateful I am to be alive. well and that I WILL get to hold my baby!
Thank you, God, St. Nectarios the healing saint, my doctors and nurses, and my family and friends who helped me through.
Longer list of thank You’s to come but thank you @prenuvo for catching this early enough to save my life. Now I’m working to get these scans covered by insurance for everyone!! And thank you Lisa Paulsen and @eifoundation.
The new issue of @People is on newsstands nationwide Friday to learn more.
Link to story: Maria Menounos Reveals She Survived Pancreatic Cancer (people.com)
So glad you are doing well and recovering. As someone that also has neuroendocrine cancer, I just want to say please make sure you are dealing with a neuroendocrine specialist (Nets). They are the ones that have the knowledge about this type of cancer.
I am surprised the article said no further treatment is needed, although I really hope
that is true. Many ends up doing Sandostatin to keep any new tumors from forming.
Also, highly recommend a 3 – 6-month scans including CT, MRI and Gallium scan (specifically for neuroendocrine cancer).
Wishing you the best.
@a.verlinden.83 she may be keeping some of it out of the media for now
or may not yet have all the information she needs. I do recommend the FB group.
Neuroendocrine Cancer – Ronny Allan’s Group (facebook.com)
Lots of valuable information on the medical side of it.
I look to others for the nutritional side.
@carlamarielementals I also highly recommend more frequent scans. Also know the type of neuroendocrine tumor. It sounds like she did have symptoms. Given the size of Maria’s tumor, the risk of spread can be greater, depending on type. Also, It is SO important to be under the care of a neuroendocrine specialist whether it be a surgeon or oncologist. I think her surgeon can guide her.
@meaghanbmurphy I am so sorry
for your loss. I don’t know 
why God chose me to be his Miracle. 90 percent of my Pancreas was removed. My surgeon left only 10 percent of my Pancreas. The cancer had not spread to the 10 percent left. That 10 percent worked like I still had all of the pancreas. It was malignant. I did not become a diabetic for 23 years. The doctors
were baffled 
why I didn’t become a diabetic.The doctors told me I am a miracle. The tumor board voted that no chemo or radiation was needed. The tumor grew in a self-contained cell. I give God all the glory, honor and praise. Each day is a gift from God. I am so grateful, thankful and blessed.
I lost the love of my life, my husband of 43 years, to stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Cancer I wanted a miracle for him, but I know he’s healed in heaven.
Abundant blessings to you.
mrs.jennifer.schmidt You are so brave.
I’m so glad you survived this and are using your voice to help others.
I have chronic hereditary pancreatitis, which is due to a genetic defect, and was completely unaware of how much the pancreas does for our body. It also amazes me that so many people are unaware of the signs of an unhealthy pancreas, as I was before my diagnosis.
I would love to see more awareness, so people know the signs to look for regarding both pancreatic cancer but pancreatitis as well, which is a chronic disease that has no cure nor treatment other than fluid replacement during an attack.
Thank you again for raising awareness.
@mrs.jennifer.schmidt can you share what the symptoms are to be aware of?
@teri_w2022 sure. Start with your stool.
Is it soft, yellowish or difficult to flush/stick to the toilet?
Being overly bloated after a meal and or experiencing lots of gas that is foul smelling. Sudden nausea when eating fatty foods or even smelling them. Abdominal pain that occurs after eating. Losing weight without trying.
Sudden vitamin deficiencies such as vitamin A, E, D & K. If in doubt speak to your doctor.
@mrs.jennifer.schmidt Unfortunately @mariamnounos is bringing awareness to a cancer she does not have. She was not diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. She was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine cancer which happens to be in the pancreas. These are 2 very different diseases. Neuroendocrine cancer is on the rare cancer list. It definitely needs more awareness.
@teri_w2022 have you managed to see a doctor? How did you go?
teri_w2022 @mrs.jennifer.schmidt yes I did. Lipase a little elevated,
they did abdominal x rays & said I’m fine,
But I don’t feel fine! But Thanks for asking
mrs.jennifer.schmidt
@teri_w2022 if you don’t feel fine seek a second opinion.
Only you know your body and what’s normal and what isn’t.
Demand an ultrasound of your gallbladder and pancreas
Thank you @mariamenounos for bravely sharing your story!
You are an inspiration.
We Stand Up for you and all those affected by cancer.
If you or a loved one is a parent with cancer (or pregnant with cancer!) navigating how to talk to your kids about cancer, or looking for community as you do the difficult work of parenting with cancer, @brightspotnetwork has resources to support you, your kids, and your loved ones.
https://youtu.be/Z2R9ki7znIg
Thank you @mariamenounos for sharing your experience with #pancreaticcancer, and bringing awareness to the disease’s symptoms.
We’re sending you our wishes for strength and healing.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, now is the time to take charge and understand all of your options. PanCAN is here to provide you with free, reliable, personalized resources and support: pancan.org or
1-877-2-PANCAN.I am so sorry you are going through this… Your words resonate with me so much.
In 2021 I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer at 20 weeks pregnant. I was 39 years old.
18 months later I am still here. Every day is a gift. You have an amazing outlook.
That sweet baby is going to give you strength like you never knew you had.
tellisaclarke She has/had neuroendocrine cancer with her primary tumor in her pancreas.
Completely different cancer to pancreatic with a very different prognoses. pancan Verified
Thank you for your question. Maria announced her diagnosis of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, also known as PNET, a rare type of #pancreaticcancer that differs from the more common diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
It is important to understand the difference between PNETs and PDAC.
Find five important facts to know about PNETs at pancan.org.
joanthrax @pancan can you please help the neuroendocrine cancer community by spreading the truth? It’s doing an amazing disservice to a community that so desperately needs funding and resources to combat this terrible disease. Please help us. She has neuroendocrine cancer in the lining of the pancreas. It is NOT pancan
Maria oh my God!! Your strength is an inspiration to us all. Sending endless love.
carlamarielementals So glad you are doing well and recovering.
As someone that also has neuroendocrine cancer, I just want to say please make sure you are dealing with a neuroendocrine specialist (Nets). They are the ones that have the knowledge about this type of cancer. I am surprised that the article said no further treatment is needed, although I really hope that is true.
Many end up doing Sandostatin to keep any new tumors from forming.
Also, highly recommend a 3 – 6-month scans including CT, MRI and Gallium scan
(Specifically for neuroendocrine cancer). Wishing you the best.
carlamarielementals @a.verlinden.83 she may be keeping some of it out
of the media for now or may not yet have all the information she needs.
I do recommend the FB group Neuroendocrine Cancer – Ronny Allan’s Group
Lots of valuable information on the medical side of it.
I look to others for the nutritional side.
sandra_mcvey_pettit @carlamarielementals I also highly recommend more frequent scans. Also know the type of neuroendocrine tumor. It sounds like she did have symptoms. Given the size of Maria’s tumor, risk of spread can be greater, depending on type.
sandra_mcvey_pettit @carlamarielementals also, It is SO important to be under the care of a neuroendocrine specialist whether it be a surgeon or oncologist. I think her surgeon can guide her.
mariamenounos Verified
Can you guys believe this rainbow is REAL?!
I also thought I had seen all the rainbows in life,
but this was my first time seeing an ocean rainbows phenomenon.
It literally sat on the ocean!! I was absolutely blown away by it!
I also learned about ‘Moonbows’ which can happen in Maui
when it rains at night from the moonlight-
I didn’t get to see one of those, but maybe next time
.
P.s. If you haven’t checked out the curated page macys.com/heal squad 
I LOVE it and you will too!Maria Menounos reveals pancreatic cancer diagnosis:
Monica Robins shares tips about warning signs – Bing video