Topics: TV And Film, Celebrity, Health, Cancer
The Office star Jenna Fischer has bravely revealed her secret cancer diagnosis.
The award-winning comedic actress took to Instagram yesterday to share a series of snaps opening up a little more about her diagnosis and how she's faring.
Jenna began: "Back in October of 2023 I posted a photo of myself on Instagram preparing for my routine mammogram with a joking reminder to 'take care of your ticking time bags' a la Michael Scott.
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"After inconclusive results on that mammogram due to dense breast tissue, my doctor ordered a breast ultrasound. They found something in my left breast. A biopsy was ordered. Then, on December 1, 2023, I learned I had Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer."
Jenna explained that while it was an 'aggressive form of breast cancer', it was also 'highly responsive to treatment'.
In January, she had a lumpectomy to remove the tumour adding: "Luckily my cancer was caught early and it hadn't spread into my lymph nodes or throughout the rest of my body, however because of the aggressive nature of triple positive breast cancer it still required chemotherapy and radiation to be sure it didn't return."
A month later, Jenna began 12 rounds of weekly chemotherapy and in June she started three weeks of radiation.
"And while I continue to be treated with infusions of Herceptin and a daily dose of Tamoxifen," she assured, "I'm happy to say I'm feeling great."
She went on to share that the reason she's now making this announcement is because she's 'ready to ditch the wigs' and wants to raise awareness for others to get 'annual mammograms'.
"I'm serious, call your doctor right now," she penned. "My tumour was so small it could not be felt on a physical exam. If I had waited six months longer, things could have been much worse. It could have spread.
"Consider this your kick in the butt to get it done."
Jenna continued: "I'm also sharing in hopes that it will be a source of support to any woman who is going through this right now.
"As anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis knows, your life changes immediately.
"It becomes all about doctor appointments, test results, treatments and recovering from treatments.
"Suddenly everything in your life is geared around one thing: fighting cancer."
She went on to thank her 'amazing village' of doctors, nurses, caregivers, cancer survivors, friends and family for helping her fight cancer
"Each person had their own special way of caring for us," the actress carried on.
"Some people texted me every week of chemo, some took me for walks, picked up our kids from school, dropped off food, took me wig shopping, some sent prayers in the form of audio messages.
"Every gesture big or small was felt. All of it was perfect."
She assured that her two children, aged 10 and 13, are 'great' adding: "We took this journey as a family. They saw that I was able to do many of the same things as before like eating meals with the family and attending their school events. And they saw the limitations cancer treatment had on me like going to bed before they did and needing naps during the day.
"We told their teachers and coaches and any adults who might be in a position of supporting them. We leaned on our community. They held us up. We got through it together."
Lastly, she took a moment to thank her husband Lee who had been by her side through the whole process.
"And I mean literally by my side... surgeries, chemotherapy, doctor appointments, endless googling, late night ugly cries," Jenna shared. "He was there for it all. I knew he was a catch when I married him. I was right."
She then revealed exactly how she celebrated her final chemo and radiation treatments - simply ringing bell with her family in their backyard 'with everyone throwing confetti'.
Jenna finished up the heartfelt post assuring: "I'm happy to say that I was recently re-screened, and the treatments worked.
"I am cancer free. I will continue to be treated and monitored to help me stay that way."
"Again, don't skip your mamm," she signed off.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
