Jenna Fischer Encourages Mammograms After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: 'It Takes a Village to Fight Cancer'

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and The Office actress Jenna Fischer is using it as a time to open up about her own cancer journey. In an Instagram post on October 8, the actress best known for playing Pam Beasley revealed that she herself had battled breast cancer. Keep scrolling to read about her health crisis and her encouraging message to women everywhere.

Jenna Fischer’s breast cancer announcement

The first place Fischer announced her cancer to the world was in an Instagram caption that read: “Never thought I’d be making an announcement like this, but here we are. Last December, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer. After completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, I am now cancer-free.” 

“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 [Fischer’s co-star] husband, Josh Snyder, for taking this photo. It’s just one example of the care they showed me during this journey.”

Fischer then encouraged people to scroll through the next couple of slides, where she dove deep into what this journey was really like for her. 

“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. 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,” wrote the actress. 

What is triple-positive breast cancer? 

After revealing what kind of breast cancer she had, Fischer also took the time to explain it, writing, “Triple-positive breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer, but it is also highly responsive to treatment. In January, I had a lumpectomy to remove the tumor. 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.” 

The battle was not an easy one, though, with The Office star revealing, “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.” 

Jenna Fischer opens up about her support system 

According to the actress, “It takes a village to fight cancer,” and in that same Instagram post, she opened up about who was in her village during this difficult time. 

“It started with a team of doctors and nurses. All of them angels. There were caregivers, some of whom I saw only once, who shared their own breast cancer stories with me. They seemed placed along my path just in the moments when I needed them most. I was connected to other cancer survivors who coached me along the way,” wrote Fischer. 

“Another big part of the village were my friends and family who have surrounded us with their love and support. Each person had their own special way of caring for us. Some people texted me every week of chemo, some took me for walks, picked up our kids from school, dropped off food, took me wig shopping, some sent prayers in the form of audio messages. Every gesture, big or small, was felt. All of it was perfect.” 

Fischer also took the time to praise her co-star and best friend from The Office, Angela Kinsey, saying, “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.” She also commented on how, throughout all of her treatments, she was able to work as much as she was able. 

Finally, the actress took the time to praise her kids and husband. 

“We took this journey as a family. They saw that I was able to do many of the same things as before, like eating meals with the family and attending their school events. And they saw the limitations cancer treatment had on me, like going to bed before they did and needing naps during the day,” wrote Fischer. 

“My husband Lee has been by my side through all of this. And I mean literally by my side... surgeries, chemotherapy, doctor appointments, endless googling, late-night ugly cries. He was there for it all. I knew he was a catch when I married him. I was right. 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.” 

Jenna Fischer’s message to women everywhere 

Fischer ended her Instagram post by clarifying that she “was recently re-screened, and the treatments worked. I am cancer-free. I will continue to be treated and monitored to help me stay that way.” 

She then encouraged women not to “skip your mammogram. 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.” 

You can view Fischer's entire post below!

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