‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star Kate Walsh on her brain tumor: “Your show was canceled. You’re depressed. No, something’s not right”

Kate Walsh knew “something was off” when she found herself constantly tired and the right side of her body seemed to be drooping more than usual. A visit to the doctor’s ten years ago proved that she was right to listen to her body. The diagnosis shocked her to the core, as she revealed during her recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Kate Walsh catches health issue early

“In 2015 I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Thankfully it turned out to be benign, so I was very, very fortunate,” she explained.

Luckily, it was detected early, giving her a chance to get the condition treated. She recalled feeling that something was not right and decided to get herself checked out.

“Oh my gosh... I was really tired, and then it’s like oh the right side of my body is dipping. They were like, ‘Oh you’re off' and then I was walking the dog and I’m like, ‘This must be a little bit of a windy street...’ It was just sort of very subtle and then kind of, ‘Oh it’s ADD, I can’t really focus. I’ve been scrolling too much'. That kind of stuff.

“And then, I went in but I know how important it is to advocate for one’s own health too because people were just like, ‘Oh you’re just depressed' - it was right after Bad Judge got canceled. Like, your show got canceled. You’re just depressed'. I’m like, no, something’s off," she continued. “So I think that’s one of the things, that even with MCED, with any kind of early detection testing, you want to talk with your doctors, see if it’s right for you. Obviously, if there’s a history of cancer in your family, you definitely want to investigate it“.

What is a meningioma?

A meningioma is a tumor that grows from the meninges, which are the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. While not classified as a brain tumor, it can exert pressure on the brain, nearby nerves, and blood vessels. According to the Mayo Clinic, meningiomas are the most common type of tumor that forms in the head.

Most meningiomas grow very slowly and can develop over many years without causing symptoms. However, sometimes their effects on brain tissue, nerves, or nearby blood vessels can lead to severe disability. These tumors are more common in women and typically appear in older adults, though they can occur at any age.

Kate Walsh joins forces with GRAIL

Having overcome her health scare, Kate is keen to ensure that others with concerns get themselves checked out before it’s too late. She has partnered healthcare company GRAIL’s Generation Possible to raise awareness of MCED and early detection testing. She explains that cancer is something that will affect us all at some point in our lives, either directly or indirectly.

“I don’t know anyone that hasn’t gotten that call, ‘So and so has cancer’. Both my parents had cancer. My father unfortunately died due to lung cancer complications. My mother was a breast cancer survivor, managed to live to the ripe old age of almost 91 so we’re very blessed with that outcome. Like you said, we don’t know anybody who hasn’t been touched by it. Which is why I was super excited to get the message out and partner with GRAIL about MCED multi-cancer early detection test,“ she said.

“It’s a new tool. This is the great thing about science and technology - this wasn’t around during my parents' generation, it wasn’t around during my friend’s - I lost a very dear friend from high school to breast cancer. It wasn’t around then. This is a multi-cancer screening test. It screens for many different kinds of cancer not just the usual top five that we hear about. It’s before you have symptoms so we know that early detection gives you more options for care”.

MCED tests are a new screening tool for multiple cancers that do not have recommended screening tests today. Health advancements have given today’s generation access to new options that give more control when it comes to cancer screening.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.