‘I never thought I’d be making an announcement like this but here we are’
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In a bid to raise awareness for breast cancer awareness month, Jenna Fischer has revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
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“October is breast cancer awareness month. I never thought I’d be making an announcement like this but here we are,” Fischer, 50, shared in a post on Instagram. “Last December, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer. After completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation I am now cancer free.”
Fischer opened up about her diagnosis in a subsequent slide, telling her followers that the cancer was discovered when she went in for a checkup last fall.
“Back in October 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,” she wrote. “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.”
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Fischer said she had a lumpectomy to remove the tumour earlier this year, but because of the “aggressive nature of triple positive breast cancer” she still had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation “to be sure it didn’t return.”
“I’m happy to say I’m feeling great,” the mother of two continued. “I lost my hair during chemotherapy but thanks to some great wigs and hats with hair (which my family affectionately called Wigats) I have been able to wait until now to reveal all that has been going on for me.”
Fischer said she was making the announcement because she wanted her followers to get their mammograms annually.
“If I had waited six months longer, things could have been much worse,” she said. “It could have spread. Seeing women post photos of their mammogram appointments on Instagram needled me into setting my own (which I was late for). I’m so glad I did. Consider this your kick in the butt to get it done,” she wrote.
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Fischer shared an image of herself along with her post adding in the caption, “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.”
In the comments, her Office co-star and Office Ladies co-host Angela Kinsey praised Fischer for sharing the news. “I love you, and I’m so glad you’re sharing. I got your back, always,” she wrote.
Ellie Kemper, who also appeared alongside Fischer in The Office, added, “We love you, Jenna. Thank you for sharing and for inspiring.”
Olivia Munn, who revealed her breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year, also commended Fischer for her post.
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“You already know how much I love you and how incredibly proud of you I am. But I just want to say it again; I love you and by sharing your story you’re helping so many women and saving so many lives. You’re just the best,” she commented.
Jennifer Garner replied to Fischer’s post, writing, “I’m so grateful to know you’re on the other side and cancer free!”
Fischer thanked the doctors and nurses who cared for her while she was undergoing treatment as well as her friends, family and fellow cancer survivors who helped her deal with her illness.
She concluded her message by writing, “Don’t skip your mammograms. Take it from Pam and her Pam Pams. Michael was right. Get em’ checked ladies. And know that should you get a breast cancer diagnosis, there is a village waiting to care for you.”
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