Is Maria Menounos Sick? Does She Have Cancer? Check Here
by Ushapriyanga | Updated May 04, 2023
Who is Maria Menounos?
Maria Menounos, a Greek-American journalist, television presenter, and actress, was born on June 8, 1978, in the Boston suburb of Medford, Massachusetts. Her parents, Costas and Litsa Menounos, were Greek immigrants who worked as janitors in a Boston nightclub. Maria has a younger brother named Peter and attended the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Somerville, Massachusetts. She also went to Medford High School.
After beginning to compete in beauty pageants in 1995, Maria won the title of Miss Massachusetts Teen USA the following year. She competed at Miss Teen USA, where she reached the top 15 and received an honorary mention during the preliminary competition, placing 13th.
Maria also competed for the title of Miss Massachusetts USA 2000 and was the first runner-up. Maria Menounos attended Emerson College in Boston and was involved in the organization Emerson Independent Video. She graduated from Emerson in 2000.
Is Maria Menounos Sick?
Maria Menounos, a TV host, journalist, author, and former E! News anchor, underwent brain surgery to remove a benign tumor in 2017 after prioritizing her health, and recently revealed she survived pancreatic cancer.
In August 2016, Maria Menounos' mother, Litsa Menounos, was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which is a malignant and challenging-to-treat type of brain cancer.
Maria was actively involved in caring for her mother, who was undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. When Maria began experiencing symptoms such as intense ear pain, headaches, dizziness, and slurred speech, she initially dismissed them as an ear infection.
In the beginning, she dismissed her intense ear pain as an ear infection, but after a month of no improvement, she visited a doctor who confirmed that her ears were fine. The doctor asked if she had any other symptoms, and Menounos shared about the daily headaches she experienced while on set, dizziness when standing up between news segments, and slurred speech.
However, after a doctor took her symptoms seriously and suggested an MRI "He said, 'I don't want to alarm you, but I don't like what you're saying. Let's get an MRI to be safe,'". Maria's busy schedule and role as a caregiver caused her to postpone the appointment. She focused on staying hydrated and the symptoms seemed to disappear.
As she explained her symptoms, Menounos began to connect the dots and mentioned to the doctor that she felt like she had a brain tumor, similar to her mother. Though she feared the doctor might think she was crazy, she knew that something was wrong.
"I said, 'I know you're going to think I'm crazy, but I feel like I have a brain tumor like my mom.'"
Menounos and her fiance, Keven Undergaro, went to UCLA Medical Center in the late spring for an MRI, which was initially ordered without contrast. However, after the first scan, the radiologist requested another scan with contrast, which revealed a golf-ball-sized meningioma tumor pressing on Menounos' facial nerves.
Although the tumor was slow-growing and probably benign, it posed a risk of causing disabling symptoms if it continued to grow. Menounos kept her diagnosis secret from her parents and colleagues for two months while seeking medical advice from Keith L. Black, MD.
Recently she revealed that she survived Pancreatic Cancer with a baby on the way. Last year, Maria Menounos, a TV personality, kept her battle with pancreatic cancer private until she recently revealed it. Menounos, who is 44 years old, informed People magazine that she began having symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, towards the end of the year.
Does Maria Menounos have Cancer?
Maria Menounos, a television personality, recently disclosed a health scare that she had been privately battling with pancreatic cancer. Menounos, who is 44 years old, shared with People magazine that she started experiencing symptoms, such as intense abdominal pain, towards the end of last year.
Despite inconclusive test results, Menounos persisted in seeking answers to the excruciating abdominal pain she experienced late last year. Eventually, a whole-body MRI detected a mass on her pancreas, leading to the shocking news that she had a Stage 2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.
Menounos, who is expecting her first child via surrogate with her husband Keven Undergaro, underwent surgery in February to remove the mass, her spleen, a fibroid, and 17 lymph nodes. This marks her second major health battle after undergoing surgery in 2017 to remove a benign brain tumor.
Maria Menounos Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis
Former E! News correspondent Maria Menounos has revealed that she had a secret battle with Stage 2 pancreatic cancer. She underwent successful surgery to remove a 3.9-cm tumor after being diagnosed in January and has been recovering for almost three months. Menounos shared her story with People magazine.
The American Cancer Society states that the treatment options for pancreatic cancer depend on the stage and type of cancer, which may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and other options.
The organization also notes that a combination of treatments may be necessary for effective treatment. Factors such as age and overall health will also be considered to determine the most suitable treatment plan. It is advised that patients discuss their treatment options with their doctors to understand the goals, benefits, and potential side effects of each treatment option before making a decision.
Maria Menounos Diabetes
In a cover story on Wednesday 3 May, Maria Menounos revealed that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January after doctors initially dismissed her early symptoms.
The 44-year-old journalist underwent surgery to remove a 3.9-centimeter mass on her pancreas, which a biopsy later confirmed was a stage 2 neuroendocrine tumor. Nearly three months into her recovery, Menounos has shared the significance of advocating for one's own health and the early warning signs that led to her cancer diagnosis.
“I’d scream out loud, I was inconsolable.” A trip to the doctor revealed that she had type 1 diabetes, which dramatically improved once she was prescribed insulin, went on a strict diet, and began monitoring her glucose levels."
Maria Menounos Mom Cancer
Amidst her own health struggles, Menounos was also taking care of her mother Litsa, who was battling stage 4 brain cancer until she passed away in 2021. Despite facing various health challenges, Menounos has maintained a positive outlook and is grateful for the upcoming arrival of her baby girl.
Maria Menounos is grieving the loss of her mother who passed away on Sunday after a lengthy battle with stage-four brain cancer. Menounos has been caring for her parents for the past two decades and described them as her children. Her mother was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, in August 2016, around the same time Menounos was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Is Maria Menounos Sick - FAQs
Maria Menounos is a journalist, television host, and actress.
Maria Menounos was diagnosed with a Stage 2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in January 2021.
The tumor that Maria Menounos had removed was 3.9 centimeters.
Maria Menounos said in a video that her parents have been like her children, and she has taken full care of them for the past two decades.
It's important to discuss all treatment options with doctors to determine the best fit for individual needs, including possible side effects and goals of treatment.