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In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Office star, Jenna Fischer, has taken to social media to reveal some shocking news: she was diagnosed with breast cancer almost a year ago.
In a series of slides, she shared her story, detailing her diagnosis, treatment and so much more. She explained, "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." 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."
Fischer went on to explain that Triple Positive Breast Cancer is an "aggressive form of breast cancer, but also highly responsive to treatment." Jenna underwent a lumpectomy, followed by 12 rounds chemotherapy and radiation to "be sure it didn't return," even though the cancer was caught early and had not spread. And yes, the actress did lose her hair, as noted in her story, noting, "I'm ready to ditch the wigs."
Elsewhere in her post, she urged everyone to make sure they are on top of their own screenings, saying, "My tumor 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."
Jenna has been surrounded by her "village" throughout her breast cancer battle, which includes her husband Lee, her children, many other women also going through their own breast cancer battles, and her best friend and "Office Ladies" co-host, Angela Kinsey. Fischer said of Kinsey's support, "Thankfully I've been able to keep working during treatments. This was all because I work with my best friend Angela Kinsey who protected me and advocated for me. For a long time, she was the only person in my workspace who knew. When I lost my hair, she wore hats to our work meetings so I wouldn't be the only one."
Finally, she shared that she is now cancer free after being re-screened following her treatment, and will "continue to be treated and monitored to help me stay that way."At the very end of her post, is a picture of her celebrating with her family the end of her treatment, and ringing her bell to note that she is now cancer free.
She also noted of her first photo smiling, "I wanted a photo of myself in my patchy pixie looking happy and healthy to go along with this news. A big thank you to Angela Kinsey’s husband Josh Snyder for taking this photo. It’s just one example of the care they showed me during this journey."