Jenna Fischer Shares Her Breast Cancer Journey: A Call for Awareness

In an inspiring and heartfelt message, Jenna Fischer, best known for her role as Pam in The Office, has revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In an emotional Instagram post, the 50-year-old actress candidly shared her story, reminding us all of the importance of regular health checkups.

Related: Breast Cancer Isn’t Funny, But Humour Can Heal (part of Charlie's Journey)

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

Fischer opened up about her diagnosis, saying, “I never thought I’d be making an announcement like this but here we are.” She disclosed that last December, she was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer. After undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, she is now cancer-free.

The discovery came during a routine checkup last fall. Fischer underwent a lumpectomy to remove the tumour earlier this year. However, due to the aggressive nature of her diagnosis, she also had to complete chemotherapy and radiation treatment to ensure the cancer would not return.

“I’m happy to say I’m feeling great,” Fischer shared, displaying her resilience and positivity throughout this challenging journey. She humorously added that while she lost her hair during chemotherapy, her family lovingly referred to her wigs and hats as "Wigats," helping her maintain a sense of normalcy during treatment.

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A post shared by Jenna Fischer (@msjennafischer)

Spreading Awareness and Encouraging Action

Fischer emphasized the importance of annual mammograms in her post, encouraging her followers to take charge of their health. She stated, “I want you all to get your mammograms annually.”

Jenna Fischer's brave revelation not only sheds light on her battle but also serves as a crucial reminder for us all to prioritize our health and well-being. Let’s take her message to heart and ensure we’re all doing our part to stay healthy!

Women In Their 40s Can Now Book A Mammogram!

As a reminder for those in Ontario, women in their 40s can now book a mammogram without needing a doctor’s referral, effective from Tuesday. This change aims to make breast cancer screenings more accessible and could potentially save lives.

Breast cancer affects one in every nine women in Ontario. The government estimates that of the one million women between the ages of 40 and 49 who can now self-refer for mammograms, about 305,000 will seek out the screening.

The province is spending nearly $20 million to increase the availability of appointments and train additional staff. 

Eligible people can call any Ontario Breast Screening Program location to book an appointment, and a list of sites can be found on Ontario Health's website.

People between the ages of 30 and 69 who qualify as high-risk, such as those with a family history of breast cancer or who carry certain genes known to increase the risk of breast cancer, can already get regular mammograms and breast MRIs.

Related: More Info on Screenings in Ontario!