When Cancer Strikes a Family Twice

Two months after pro golfer Phil Mickelson's wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer, his mother has been diagnosed with the same disease, Mickelson's sister, Tina Mickelson, revealed to the San Diego Union Tribune on Monday.
Golfer Phil Mickelson tries to bring his best even if his heart is elsewhere.

Tina Mickelson did not return ABCNews.com's messages seeking comment about her mother, Mary Michelson. T.R. Reinman, media representative for Phil Mickelson, said the Mickelson family has declined to comment "although the family is very appreciative for the support."

Reinman said Amy views herself as "just one of 200,000 people diagnosed in the same year," with no more important personal story to tell than anybody else.

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer is the second leading cause of death in Americans. So it should come as little surprise that few families have escaped the strain of a cancer battle. And it's not all that unusual for the disease to strike twice in family.