Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Former ‘Bachelorette’ Star Katie Thurston Discloses Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Reality television personality Katie Thurston, known for her role on “The Bachelorette,” has publicly announced that her breast cancer has advanced to Stage 4 and metastasized to her liver. In an Instagram update shared on Friday, Thurston provided a candid account of her health journey, revealing the diagnosis came 43 days prior. She stated that cancer treatment has not yet commenced as she prioritizes fertility preservation and undergoes further medical evaluations.
Diagnosis and Testing
Thurston detailed the diagnostic process, which included an initial breast ultrasound, mammogram, and biopsy. Subsequent examinations involved a CT scan, bone density scan, and MRI. Seeking specialized care, she transitioned her medical team from Los Angeles to New York. A PET scan performed in New York revealed concerning indications on her liver, which were later confirmed to be cancerous.
Stage 4 Confirmation
In a video message shared on Friday, Thurston confirmed the progression of her illness. “Unfortunately, I did discover today that my breast cancer has spread to the liver. It is relatively small, however, this diagnosis classifies it as Stage 4,” she explained.
Treatment Plan
Thurston disclosed that her cancer treatment is scheduled to begin on April 4 and will consist of chemotherapy. Despite the seriousness of a Stage 4 diagnosis, Thurston conveyed optimism regarding her prognosis.
Positive Outlook
“I am aware that Stage 4 can be alarming, and it is indeed serious. However, given that my cancer is triple positive, and the liver lesions are small and were detected early, I am very hopeful about the outcome,” she stated.
Understanding Triple-Positive Breast Cancer
The term “triple-positive” pertains to a specific type of breast cancer characterized by cancer cells that utilize three distinct types of receptors for growth, according to medical experts at MD Anderson Cancer Center. This subtype is associated with HER2-positive breast cancer. Medical oncologist Dr. Jason Mouabbi noted in a 2023 publication that HER2-positive breast cancer represents a highly treatable form of the disease, exhibiting significant responsiveness to medical intervention.
Recent Life Events Amidst Diagnosis
Thurston’s health update follows shortly after her recent marriage to comedian Jeff Arcuri. She initially shared news of her breast cancer diagnosis publicly on February 15th.
Initial Reaction and Resolve
Upon first disclosing her condition, Thurston conveyed the emotional challenges of accepting her reality. “This marks day one of sharing, and it will be a lengthy journey. The initial step of accepting my reality proved to be the most difficult. However, I am now prepared to combat this,” she affirmed.
Background in Television
Katie Thurston first gained national recognition as a contestant on “The Bachelor” in 2021. Subsequently, she starred as the leading figure in Season 17 of “The Bachelorette,” which premiered in June 2021.