Actress Jenna Fischer has revealed she has been receiving treatment for breast cancer since December last year. Best known for her role as receptionist Pam Beesly in the US version of The Office, Jenna said she was “now cancer-free” after surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Jenna, who also hosts the Office Ladies podcast, played Pam in the mockumentary series between 2005 and 2013 alongside Steve Carrell, who plays regional manager Michael Scott. The much-memed series, based on a BBC series of the same name starring Ricky Gervais, is one of the most-watched shows on Netflix and repeatedly ranks among the most popular US sitcoms.
Jenna said her cancer was found after a routine scan in October 2023 which she said she’d been putting off. “Seeing women post photos of their mammogram appointments on Instagram needled me into setting my own (which I was late for),” she wrote. After that appointment, she said further tests found she had “stage 1 triple positive breast cancer”.
Jenna said that “luckily” her cancer was caught early but the tumour was aggressive so needed multiple rounds of treatment. There are a number of types of breast cancer and some, like triple positive, are known as hormone receptor-positive cancers. This means the tumours are encouraged to grow by hormones, such as oestrogen, progesterone and a protein called HER2, that are found naturally in the body. These cancers are much more likely to respond to drug treatments that target these hormones to help stop the cancer cells dividing and growing.
Cancer Research says the term “triple positive breast cancer” is not widely used in the UK, instead being called “invasive breast cancer”. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting women in the UK according to the NHS, but it can also affect men. More than 50,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with it each year and figures from Cancer Research suggest one in every seven women in the country will be diagnosed in their lifetime. It still claims the lives of more than 11,000 British people each year, but Cancer Research says survival rates are improving, with 76% of patients living for at least 10 years after diagnosis.
During chemotherapy, Jenna said she lost her hair and shared a photo on Instagram of her “patchy pixie” cut as it grew back. She said she was ready to “ditch the wigs” she has been wearing for the past year, adding that “many people” in her life did not know she was undergoing treatment. “I needed spaces and people who did not regard me as a cancer patient.”
But she highlighted the support she’d had from people who did know, including her co-star Angela Kinsey, who plays picky safety officer Angela Martin in the series and co-hosts the Office Ladies podcast. “When I lost my hair, she wore hats to our work meetings to make sure I wasn’t the only one,” Jenna said.
Jenna told her followers that she will “continue to be treated and monitored”, and she urged fans: “Get ‘em checked ladies”. “My tumour was so small it couldn’t be felt on a physical exam,” she wrote, adding that had she delayed her scans “it could have spread”.
“Should you get a breast cancer diagnosis,” she wrote, “there is a village waiting to care for you.”
Living with Cancer: A Village of Support
Fischer’s experience highlights the importance of early detection and the strength that comes from a supportive community. Her post resonates with countless women who have faced similar challenges, serving as a testament to the resilience and strength of those who confront cancer.
She acknowledges the overwhelming nature of the diagnosis and the adjustments that accompany it. “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,” she writes. “It takes a village to fight cancer, and I have had an amazing village.”
Fischer’s village, she shares, included her medical team, other survivors who shared their stories, her family, and her friends, particularly her “Office” co-star and “Office Ladies” podcast co-host Angela Kinsey. She recognizes the crucial role Angela played in her journey: “She protected me and advocated for me along the way.”
Fischer’s journey underscores the importance of early detection and the significance of a supportive community in navigating the challenges of cancer treatment. She shares her story, not just to inspire others to prioritize their health, but also to remind those facing similar battles that they are not alone.
A Call to Action: Get Your Mammograms
Fischer’s candid account is a powerful reminder of the importance of regular mammograms. “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,” she wrote. Her experience reinforces the message that early detection saves lives.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women at average risk of breast cancer have a mammogram every other year starting at age 40 and until age 74. While these guidelines are helpful, it’s crucial to consult with a doctor to determine a personalized screening schedule.
Fischer’s journey serves as a strong call to action for women to prioritize their health and schedule their mammograms. Early detection is key in the fight against breast cancer, and her story is a reminder that taking the time to get screened can make a life-saving difference.
Fischer’s story is a testament to the power of early detection, the strength of a supportive community, and the resilience of those who face cancer. It is a powerful reminder to women to prioritize their health, get screened regularly, and to know that in the face of a diagnosis, they are not alone.
