The Pitt’s Katherine LaNasa on Breast Cancer, How She Plays Nurse Dana, and Season 3 Spoilers

3 min read

Approximately one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. Katherine LaNasa, who plays Nurse Dana on The Pitt, is one of these women. LaNasa was diagnosed with stage 1 disease in 2023 after a routine mammogram. Now, she’s working with health care company Novartis to encourage other women to get their screenings done early in its new campaign, Your Attention Please.

“Only one in two women that are eligible to get screened for breast cancer are doing so,” LaNasa says. “If I can use my voice to encourage more women to talk to their doctor, know their risk, get their screenings, and catch breast cancer early, it gives meaning to my own journey to be able to raise awareness.” Below, ELLE spoke with LaNasa about her experience with breast cancer, how it helps shape the way she plays Dana, and a sneak peek into season 3 of The Pitt.

What was your breast cancer journey like?

When I was in my thirties, I was doing a regular checkup with my doctor, and during a manual breast exam, they found something that looked a little curious. I had some screening done, and it turned out that I had really dense breasts. I needed a lumpectomy. It was benign, but because of that experience, I became really on top of getting my annual mammogram. When you start doing that, it becomes less scary.

In 2023, [in my mid-fifties], I had just come back from a premiere in L.A. I felt good. Being an ex-professional ballet dancer, I feel so in touch with my body, but you can’t just go on how your body feels. My scan [found] breast cancer. Early detection can save lives. It definitely saved mine.

What advice do you have for other women going through something similar?

It sounds goofy, but I really led with an attitude of gratitude to reframe a lot of the experience. Instead of thinking, “Why me?” I thought, “Well, why not me?” I was able to look at the treatment as care, as opposed to something that was being done to me. I have a lot of gratitude for the fact that I live in the United States, where treatment and doctors are available, and that I was being taken care of. It helped for me to focus on the positive.

I also planned a trip to Sicily when my treatment was done. Plan something as frivolous as you can afford, and do it. Take that trip you’ve always wanted to take. I had my sights on that, and that was helpful during the low periods.

Did your experience shape the way that you approached playing Nurse Dana?

I knew what it was like to be the scared patient in the hospital, and I also knew how much little kindnesses from the nurses mattered. I was very familiar with the hospital. I was going there for treatment, acupuncture, and stretching.

I always appreciate how Dana is tough, but she’s also really kind.

So far. Don’t get me started. She’s on edge in season 3. I’m going to tease that. But I love that about her. That’s what makes her feel so real. These aren’t idealized people. These are very flawed people. She’s loving and she’s kind, but she’s also loud, tough, and edgy sometimes. She has her own demons and is struggling with things. They’re real heroes, and that’s part of why it’s resonated with people so much. That and the fact that it’s about people caring for other people, and I think that feels good right now.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.