Woman Battling Cancer Describes 'Humiliation' During LA Airport Security Search

Denise Albert, an American TV and radio host who has breast cancer, shared video on December 5 of what she described as a “humiliating” public search by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at Los Angeles International Airport.

Albert, a host of the MOMS on Sirius XM, who was undergoing chemotherapy as part of treatment for breast cancer, said she felt “violated” as two TSA agents forced her to remove her wig and her shoes. Her feet, she said, were affected by a painful condition caused by the treatment, preventing her from walking barefoot.

The video here shows a female TSA agent using her hands to search Albert’s legs and groin area. She then tries to place her hands near Albert’s breasts, but Albert stops her. Albert, visibly upset, tells the agents she has breast cancer, has had a lumpectomy, and has a metal post in her chest. Another male agent is then seen trying to explain to Albert that the search has to take place before she can be allowed proceed to her flight.

Albert said that after the video ended she lifted her shirt for the agents, rather than have them touching her breasts. A supervisor was then called, who Albert said was “kind enough to have more compassion,” and who brought her to a private room for a “soft pat down.”

She said that after the search, her bags were opened and everything was removed, and a TSA agent joked about the amount of false eyelashes she had. Albert said she told them it was because of the loss of her real eyelashes due to her cancer treatment.

Albert said that after she spoke to various news organizations, a representative of Los Angeles International Airport apologized to her, told her an investigation was underway, said the TSA staff had failed to meet expectations on how to screen people with medical conditions or disabilities, and told her new training would be given to the airport’s approximately 3,000 employees. Credit: Denise Albert/The MOMS/@themoms via Storyful