Beloved The Office star Jenna Fischer shares brave battle with stage 1 triple positive breast cancer

The Office US star Jenna Fischer has announced she was diagnosed with stage 1 triple positive breast cancer in December 2023.

The actress, best known for her role as Pam Beesly in The Office from 2005 to 2013, said in a lengthy post that her diagnosis was “aggressive” but “highly responsive to treatment” and she was now cancer-free.

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“October is breast cancer awareness month. I never thought I’d be making an announcement like this but here we are,” her Instagram caption, posted Wednesday morning read.

“Last December, I was diagnosed with stage 1 triple positive breast cancer. After completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation I am now cancer free.”

She recalled posting to Instagram a photo of herself preparing for a routine mammogram joking, “take care of your ticking time bags”, an infamous line from The Office character Michael Scott, played by Steve Carrell.

After inconclusive results due to dense breast tissue, her doctor ordered a breast ultrasound and found something in her left breast.

After a biopsy, she learned her diagnosis on December 1, 2023.

“Triple positive breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer but it is also highly responsive to treatment,” she said.

“In January, I had a lumpectomy to remove the tumour.

“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 l’m feeling great.”

Fischer said she lost her hair during treatment but because of some “great wigs and hats with hair” she could wait before revealing “all that has been going on” to her 3.9 million Instagram followers.

The actress urged followers to get their annual mammograms and calculate breast cancer risk assessment scores.

“I’m serious, call your doctor right now. My tumour was so small it could not be felt on a physical exam,” she said.

“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 | was late for). I’m so glad I did. Consider this your kick in the butt to get it done.

“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. 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 went on to thank her family and friends who supported her, specifically her husband Lee Kirk.

“Finally, I need to mention my husband Lee who 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,” she wrote.

“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.”

She ended the post by reiterating she was now cancer-free following screenings and treatments.

“I will continue to be treated and monitored to help me stay that way.

“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.”

Fischer’s The Office co-star Angela Kinsey responded in the comments: “I love you and I’m so glad you’re sharing. I got your back, always”.

“Congratulations, @msjennafischer !! I’m so grateful to know you’re on the other side and cancer free!” actress Jennifer Garner said.

Actress Olivia Munn, who was also diagnosed with breast cancer said: “You already know how much I love you and how incredibly proud of you I am.

“But I just want to say it again; I love you and by sharing your story you’re helping so many women and saving so many lives. You’re just the best.”

Fischer’s The Office character Pam Beesly was a fan favourite, best known for her relationship with John Krasinski’s character Jim Halpert.

Their characters married on the show after a slow-burn romance.

She has also had roles in Blades of Glory, Hall Pass and the 2024 version of Mean Girls.