The Office star Jenna Fischer reveals she was diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ breast cancer
The Office star Jenna Fischer has said she was diagnosed with an ‘aggressive’ form of breast cancer last year but is now cancer-free.
The 50-year-old, who played Pam Beesly in the sitcom, said the cancer was found after an ‘inconclusive’ mammogram due to ‘dense’ breast tissue.
Results from a biopsy showed she had stage 1 triple positive breast cancer which Jenna said was ‘aggressive but highly responsive to treatment.’
Jenna underwent a lumpectomy, as well as radiation and chemotherapy treatment and is now cancer-free.
The actor said she was sharing her story for the first time on Instagram to mark breast cancer awareness week.
She wrote: ‘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.
‘In February I began 12 rounds of weekly chemotherapy, and in June I started three weeks of radiation. And while I continue to be treated with infusions of Herceptin and a daily dose of Tamoxifen, I’m happy to say I’m feeling great.’
Jenna said she lost her hair during chemotherapy and wore some ‘really great wigs’ but was now ready to leave them behind.
The Blades of Glory star continued: ‘I’m making this announcement for a few reasons. One, I’m ready to ditch the wigs. Two, to implore you to get your annual mammograms.
‘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 on a physical exam. If I had waited six months longer, things could have been much worse. 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 also said she hoped she would be a ‘source of support’ to other women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
‘As anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis knows, your life changes immediately,’ Jenna wrote.
How to check for signs of breast cancer
CoppaFeel! offers these simple steps on how to check your own chest for signs of cancer.
Look
Look at your boobs, pecs or chest.
Look at the area from your armpit, across and beneath your boobs, pecs or chest, and up to your collarbone.
Be aware of any changes in size, outline or shape and changes in skin such as puckering or dimpling.
Feel
Feel each of your boobs, pecs or chest.
Feel the area from your armpit, across and beneath your boobs, pecs or chest, and up to your collarbone.
Be aware of any changes in skin such as puckering or dimpling, or any lumps, bumps or skin thickening which are different from the opposite side.
Notice your nipples
Look at each of your nipples.
Be aware of any nipple discharge that’s not milky, any bleeding from the nipple, any rash or crusting on or around your nipple area that doesn’t heal easily and any change in the position of your nipple
‘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.’
Jenna finished her post by thanking her support system, including her The Office co-star Angela Kinsey, who played Angela, who ‘protected and advocated for her’.
She said she was the ‘only person’ in the workplace for a ‘long time’ who knew of Jenna’s diagnosis and would wear hats in meetings with Jenna when she lost her hair so she ‘wouldn’t be the only one.
Jenna also thanked her doctors, nurses, caregivers, friends, her husband Lee Kirk and two children.
Jenna became a household name after playing Pam in The Office from 2005 until 2013. One of the show’s most loved storylines was the will-they-won’t-they relationship between Pam and Jim Halpert (John Krasinski).
Her portrayal earned her an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series.
Jenna’s other credits include films The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Blades of Glory,Hall Pass and the reboot of Mean Girls.
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