At 22, actor Lucy Liu discovered a breast lump and—after a diagnosis that turned out to be wrong—underwent surgery she later learned was unnecessary. The experience changed how she approaches her health and prompted her to encourage others to know their screening options and seek second opinions.
Liu says she didn’t know about imaging options like mammograms and ultrasounds at the time and scheduled surgery without exploring alternatives. The episode taught her to ask questions, to be curious about medical choices, and not to accept a single opinion without considering other perspectives.
Mikkael Sekeres, MD, chief of hematology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, stresses the same point. He notes that cancer diagnoses can be complex and that second opinions matter. A study at his center comparing community diagnoses with centralized expert pathologists found major diagnostic discrepancies in about 20% of cases, with roughly 10% of patients receiving treatment that did not match the correct diagnosis. ‘‘You owe it to yourself to seek a second opinion on both your diagnosis and the right treatment,’’ he says.
Liu also highlights how common cancer is and how screening programs have saved lives. Long-term U.S. screening estimates from 1975 to 2020 suggest that more than 1.3 million cancer deaths were averted, including about 260,000 fewer breast cancer deaths attributed to mammography, 200,000 fewer prostate cancer deaths linked to PSA testing, 160,000 fewer cervical cancer deaths from Pap smears, and roughly 740,000 fewer colorectal cancer deaths thanks to colonoscopies and other screens.
Sekeres explains that screening aims to detect cancer before symptoms appear and that both screening technology and clinical guidance have improved. Routine checks such as mammograms, Pap tests, colonoscopies and regular skin exams remain important for finding cancers early. He recommends that PSA testing be discussed with a clinician to weigh risks and benefits, and notes that lung cancer screening is advised for high-risk people, such as current smokers aged 50 to 80.
Liu urges patients not to be afraid to ask questions or to dismiss their concerns as ‘‘stupid.’’ She encourages consulting specialists in the relevant field and combining expert opinions to make better-informed choices. At the same time, she acknowledges that strict health regimens aren’t always realistic; she favors staying present and consistent rather than expecting perfection every day.
Parenthood has shaped her approach: she models proactive care for her son, Rockwell, by openly scheduling checkups and treating screenings as routine rather than frightening. By sharing her own story, Liu hopes to reduce fear around screening and to motivate others to take charge of their health. ‘‘Advocacy often begins with a personal story,’’ she says, and she’s willing to share hers if it prompts action.