ESPN’s Hannah Storm Celebrates a Year in Remission

You’ve got to be tough as a woman who, for decades, has been an acclaimed sports journalist. After more than three decades in the field, ESPN SportsCenter frontwoman Hannah Storm is no stranger to proving her strength.

But in early 2024, a routine screening led to her breast cancer diagnosis—found at stage 0, which is one part of made her swift remission possible. “I marked one year out in February,” the 62-year-old mom of three daughters tells us, emphasizing that for many breast cancer patients, early detection and scientific research can provide hope for healing.

For years before her own diagnosis, Storm supported the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which, according to its site, “was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach, ESPN commentator and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.” Valvano passed in 1993 at age 47 after famously delivering a moving speech at the ESPY Awards, imploring the audience to live fully before coining what would become the foundation’s motto in pursuing cancer research: “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”

Still active with the V Foundation today, Storm recently connected with The Healthy by Reader’s Digest to discuss her cancer journey and what she hopes others will take from it.

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The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: Hannah, we hope you’re feeling great. How are you doing?

Hannah Storm: I am doing really great. All of my tests have come back clean, and I feel like I’m taking really good care of my health. I feel very good.

The Healthy: What’s a lesson or a takeaway that you want to share with women (perhaps men, too) based on your cancer journey?

Hannah Storm: I think the biggest takeaway for me is the importance of screening. If I did not have my annual screening, I would not have known that I had cancer because I had zero symptoms and no family history. The only way I would have discovered this at such an early stage was because of my regularly scheduled mammogram, which I then followed up with an ultrasound because I have [what breast cancer clinicians refer to as] dense breasts. Those two tests made all the difference in the world.

The Healthy: Can you speak to how you think about research and medical advancements?

Hannah Storm: In terms of breast cancer, research has meant everything. If someone is diagnosed with breast cancer at stage 0 like myself, the survival rate is now 99% because of all the research that has been done in recent decades. The research has led directly to higher survivor rates.

Through ESPN, I have been heavily involved with The V Foundation for Cancer Research and have worked very closely with them on their cancer research initiatives long before my personal diagnosis.

I have also learned the importance of genetic testing as it pertains to certain types of cancer and how critical your family history is in determining the best path forward for your health.

Additionally, it is so important to receive treatment at a facility that is up to date on all the latest research. I am currently taking lower doses of medication because of the research that has been done for breast cancer patients. I have been able to avoid radiation because of the tests that are available to determine whether or not your cells will respond to radiation therapy. Research and the scientific developments that have been made have had a major impact on my post-surgical treatment and my overall game plan.

The Healthy: You have kids. How do they react to your strength in getting through treatments and even spreading what you’ve learned to others?

Hannah Storm: I have three daughters in their twenties, and I was very grateful that they were supportive not only during my diagnosis and surgery, but particularly how I share my story. Sometimes personal health concerns and challenges can be difficult to share publicly, but I wanted to do so to raise awareness for the different facets of testing and treatment that are available for patients. I was really grateful that my daughters were so supportive in that aspect because I was not only talking about myself, but about my family and our journey.

I try to make the point often that a women’s health journey is not hers alone. It can be very difficult for women as caretakers to make time to do something like schedule a mammogram or multiple tests if needed. I try to impress upon others and their family members to be supportive in that regard.

If it’s watching the kids, or taking your spouse out to dinner after visiting doctor’s, or helping them make the appointments in their calendar, I try to urge significant others of women to be involved in the process because it’s something that can be very daunting. Women typically think about themselves last, and their families first. The support from their spouse and family is critical.

The Healthy: That’s still so true. To that point: What’s one self-care habit you refuse to skip?

Hannah Storm: I’m really disciplined about getting my daily workout in. I will not skip my workouts; I will plan my life around those. I just feel it’s so important for overall health, mental and physical. As I age, I really understand the importance of cardiovascular work and lifting weights. Physical exercise is something I really try to not compromise on.

For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:

• Katie Couric on the Necessity of Scientific Research
• Clea Shearer Continues To Share Her Breast Cancer Journey: “I Was So Desperate for Information”
• Patrick Dempsey Opens Up About His Passion for Cancer Awareness
• Brooke Shields’ Newest Campaign for Women: “There Is Power in Asking”