Katie Couric Says Her ‘Level of Empathy Skyrocketed’ After Losing Her Husband and Sister to Cancer (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Katie Couric.Photo:Exact Sciences

Exact Sciences

Katie Couricwill never stop advocating for people with colon cancer.

In a conversation with PEOPLE, the legendary journalist and entrepreneur, 68, opened up about her commitment to raising awareness and funds for colon cancer research for more than two decades.

The cause hits close to home. Her first husband Jay Monahan died in 1998 of colon cancer, while her sister Emily died of pancreatic cancer two years later. Couric received her ownbreast cancer diagnosisin 2022.

The golf tournament, which took place March 7-9 in Tucson, Ariz., raised $50K for survivors.

“I got to meet with 300 colon cancer advocates who are working to spread the word about screening and the need for more research, and they’re all dedicated and committed to the cause,” she tells PEOPLE. “So that was really fun and gratifying.”

“It’s very worrisome to see the number of people under the age of 50 who are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer increase,” she adds. “I’m really trying to spread the word that the age for screening has been reduced to 45. Unfortunately, only 20% of people between the ages of 45 and 49 have gotten screened. So there’s a lot of wood to chop in that area.”

Katie Couric.Exact Sciences

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However, they emphasizethe need for preemptive screenings, as these symptoms typically only appear after colon cancer has already spread.

Couric says that after so many years of raising awareness, she still gets excited about finding new ways to shed light on the issue.

“I tookJimmy Kimmeltoget a colonoscopy. I’ve been trying to see ifKevin Hart, who just turned 45, will be my next victim… I mean patient,” she quips.

“I never run out of ways to talk about colon cancer,” she says. “Sometimes I try to use humor, sometimes I try to use celebrities, and sometimes I really just talk directly to my audience about the importance of getting screened. Even if I’m giving a speech that has nothing to do about cancer, whether it’s a few people or a big crowd, I always remind them about getting screened. Screening saves lives.”

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Couric stresses that because cancer has touched her life so closely, her longtime advocacy work comes from a place of sincerity.

“Because I experienced what happens when colon cancer isn’t detected early, I think I speak from a very pure and honest place. People just need to be reminded because it isn’t necessarily at the top of their to-do list.”

“I think my level of empathy has skyrocketed because of my personal experience,” she admits.

“I’d like to think that I’ve always been a very empathetic person, but having gone through an experience of having a loved one diagnosed and havingmy husbanddie of the disease has really made me appreciative of how scary and overwhelming it can be,” she tells PEOPLE. “I appreciate how overwhelming and upsetting it is when you hear those three words: ‘You have cancer.’ So I try my best to really help.”

source: people.com