Jenna Fischer, beloved star of The Office, is using her platform to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month by sharing her own story. The award-winning actress confirmed that she is now cancer-free after being diagnosed with stage I triple-positive breast cancer in 2023.

In an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday (Oct. 8), the 50-year-old opened up about her cancer journey, which began with a routine mammogram. Fischer emphasized how early detection played a crucial role in her recovery, revealing that her tumor was so small it couldn't be felt during a physical exam.

"October is breast cancer awareness month. I never thought I'd be making an announcement like this, but here we are," Fischer wrote on Instagram. "Last December, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer. After completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation I am not cancer free." 

Thanks to prompt treatment, including a lumpectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, and infusions, she is now celebrating the news that her treatments have worked.

"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. 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," she added alongside a photo of herself with a "patchy pixie" haircut, a sign of her resilience after chemotherapy.

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A post shared by Jenna Fischer (@msjennafischer)

According to the American Cancer Society, stage I triple-positive breast cancer is a particularly aggressive form, driven by hormones like estrogen and progesterone, as well as the HER2 protein. 

Fischer said she lost her hair during treatment, turned to wigs, and created an impressive hat collection. She hopes that by opening up, she can encourage others to prioritize their health. 

"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," she explained. "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 waiting six months longer, things could have been much worse." 

As reported earlier this year, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women at average risk start getting mammograms every two years beginning at age 40. Fischer also opened up about the emotional toll cancer takes.

"I'm also sharing in hopes that it will be a source of support to any woman who is going through this right now. As anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis knows, your life changes immediately," wrote the actress. "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 said it "takes a village" to navigate through the fight against cancer. She credited her medical team, family, and friends – particularly her Office Ladies podcast co-host Angela Kinsey – for their unwavering support.

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A post shared by Angela Kinsey (@angelakinsey)

She continued, "Thankfully, I've been able to keep working during treatment. This was all because I work with my best friend, Angela Kinsey, who protected me and advocated for me. 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." 

To celebrate the end of her treatment, Fischer and her family, including her husband Lee Kirk and their two children, 10 and 13, had a special moment in their backyard, ringing a bell and throwing confetti. The joyful celebration, captured in a photo shared with her followers, symbolizes not just an end to her treatment but the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

As Fischer continues her journey with ongoing monitoring and treatments, she remains committed to supporting other women facing similar battles. Her message this Breast Cancer Awareness Month is simple yet powerful: early detection saves lives, and no one should face cancer alone. 

"Again, don't 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," she topped off her heartwarming message, quoting the iconic sitcom. 

Photo Credit: @msjennafischer on Instagram.