Amy Robach says drinking alcohol is her 'favorite thing' in life despite risk of breast cancer recurrence

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a candid revelation, Amy Robach opened up about her drinking habit despite being prone to the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

In October 2013, the 50-year-old former television personality was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer after she underwent an on-air mammogram on 'Good Morning America.'

Robach, who had a double mastectomy, had to undergo eight rounds of chemotherapy and her treatment was completed in April 2014, according to People.

Amy Robach reflects on doctor's advice to her on alcohol intake

Reflecting on her past year and her relationship with alcohol, Robach revealed on the latest episode of her iHeartRadio podcast that she started dry January 2024 with her cohost and boyfriend TJ Holmes.

"I knew this past year was an anomaly. It was not a year that hopefully will ever be repeated, but it's been weighing heavily on me," said Robach.

"Not just about the amount of alcohol that I consumed but also what I know about alcohol and cancer - and specifically breast cancer," she added.

The former 'GMA' host explained that when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, the first thing her doctors asked her was to reduce her alcohol intake.

"I will say this because I'm someone who lives with recurrences. All breast cancer survivors do," she said.

"There's no scientific proof as of yet, but most doctors believe because it raises your estrogen levels, especially if you have a hormone-positive cancer like I did, it would make sense that it would raise your chance for reassurance," she added.

She further shared that there is "no strong evidence to support or refute it," and encouraged her fans to "err on the side of caution."

"I know that that's such an important part of my life. I have changed my diet. I have changed my exercise. I have focused on sleep," she said.

"But alcohol has been something that I haven't fully committed to reducing — and in fact, as I pointed out last year, I increased,' she continued.

Amy Robach says she drinks alcohol to 'enhance joy'

In response to Holmes' question on why she has not put any effort into reducing her alcohol intake before January, Robach explained that she's "never been one to drink to mask pain."

"I always drink to enhance joy. I love that little extra kick. I like to laugh. It's probably my favorite thing to do in life," she explained.

"And so if you have that drink in hand, you laugh a little more. You dance a little more. Life just gets a little more fun as long as you know not to drink too much. That has always been a part of what I love about the experience of drinking," she continued.

"It's just getting that little extra boost, I guess, is the way I would put it," she added.