On December 17, 2012, Luft discovered a lump on her right breast. "I was in total denial", she said. Three weeks later, her radiographer informed her that she had grade-2A breast cancer. She called her close friend, Barry Manilow, who connected her with cancer specialist David Agus. After reviewing the tests, Agus told her, "I’m looking at your biopsy and I can tell you right now, Lorna, you're going to be okay." To save her breast, she opted for a lumpectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation. She completed her final chemotherapy treatment in 2013.