The Office star Jenna Fischer took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a private battle with breast cancer.
Fischer’s emotional post details the ups and downs of treatment, credits her village for holding her up along the way (including husband Lee and Office co-star and close colleague Angela Kinsey). It ends on a positive note: “I am cancer free.”
“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,” shared Fischer, 50, in reference to Steve Carell’s character on the beloved sitcom. “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 Dec. 1, 2023, I learned I had Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer.”
She detailed it as an “aggressive form” of breast cancer but one that is also highly responsive to treatment. Hers included a lumpectomy to remove the tumor followed by chemotherapy and radiation “to be sure it didn’t return.” She started the chemo in February, a weekly plan that lasted 12 rounds followed by three weeks of radiation, which started in June. “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.”
Fischer lost her hair during treatment, leading her to turn to “great wigs and hats with hair” that her family affectionately referred to as “wigats.” The accessories allowed her to keep her battle private until now, and she added that she’s stepping out of the shadows now for two reasons.
“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 doctors right now. 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 wanted to be a source of inspiration to any woman who might be facing the same battle. “As anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis knows, your life changes immediately. 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,” she posted.
While Fischer battled cancer in private, she leaned on “an amazing village” of friends, family and loved ones. She continued working alongside Kinsey on their Office Ladies podcast. “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. When I needed a break, we took one. I am so lucky to have a career with this kind of flexibility.”
Fischer detailed how her children, 10 and 13, responded to the news and resulting treatments by saying that “we took this journey as a family.” Her husband, Lee, was by her side for surgeries, chemo, appointments, “endless Googling,” and late night “ugly cries.” She added: “He was there for it all. I knew he was a catch when I married him. I was right.”
She continued: “After my final chemo and radiation treatments, Lee asked me if there was anything I wanted to do to celebrate. I said I simply wanted to ring a bell, with the kids, in our backyard, with everyone throwing confetti. So, we did it.” Fischer’s carousel of images show the celebratory moment.