‘The Office’ star Jenna Fischer reveals ‘aggressive’ breast cancer diagnosis
On Tuesday afternoon, Fischer wrote on Instagram that she underwent a lumpectomy to remove a tumour, as well as chemotherapy and radiation to treat her “aggressive” breast cancer.
Actor Jenna Fischer revealed that she was diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer last December and is now living “cancer-free” after her treatment.
On Tuesday afternoon, Fischer shared on Instagram that she underwent a lumpectomy to remove a tumor, in addition to chemotherapy and radiation to treat her “aggressive” breast cancer.
Triple-positive breast cancer is classified as hormone receptor-positive cancer, meaning that the growth of the tumor is stimulated by hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and a protein called HER2, all of which are naturally found in the body.
October is recognized as breast cancer awareness month, and Fischer, 50, explained that she chose to share her diagnosis now to “implore” others to get their annual mammograms. She also hopes that her announcement will serve as a “source of support” for anyone currently undergoing breast cancer treatment.
In her social media post, the sitcom star included a photo of herself with a “patchy pixie” haircut, looking “happy and healthy.”
Fischer noted that during a routine mammogram in October 2023, the results were inconclusive due to her dense breast tissue.
Dense breasts increase the risk of breast cancer and make detection more challenging with standard mammograms. Breasts are made up of fat, glands, and fibrous tissue; if more than 50 percent of a breast consists of glands and fibrous tissue, it is classified as dense. However, it is not possible to determine breast density simply by appearance, feel, size, or firmness.
At the time of her mammogram, Fischer posted a reminder on Instagram for women to schedule their own check-ups, stating, “Gotta take care of those ticking time bags, ladies,” referencing Michael Scott’s advice from The Office.
Following her mammogram, Fischer’s doctor ordered a breast ultrasound, which revealed something abnormal in her left breast. She then underwent a biopsy and, on December 1, 2023, received the diagnosis of Stage 1 triple-positive breast cancer. After her lumpectomy, she completed 12 rounds of weekly chemotherapy followed by three weeks of radiation treatment.
To conceal her diagnosis from the public and mask her hair loss, Fischer wore wigs and “hats with hair.” Offering advice to her followers, she urged, “You can also ask your doctor to calculate your Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score and get any additional screenings required. I’m serious, call your doctor right now.”
“My tumor was so small it could not be felt during a physical exam,” she added. “If I had waited six months longer, things could have been much worse. It could have spread.”
Fischer shared that being diagnosed with cancer had an immediate impact on her life, an experience that resonates with many who have faced the disease.
“It becomes all about doctor’s appointments, test results, treatments, and recovering from treatments,” she wrote. “Suddenly, everything in your life is geared around one thing: fighting cancer.”
