LOS ANGELES, Oct 10: Actress Jenna Fischer has disclosed that she has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer since December of last year. Known for her portrayal of receptionist Pam Beesly in the U.S. version of The Office, Jenna announced that she is "now cancer-free" following surgery, as well as multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

"I'm happy to say I'm feeling great," Jenna shared on Instagram, explaining that she is speaking about her treatment to inspire others to monitor for signs of the disease. "If I had waited six months longer, things could have been much worse," she noted.

Jenna, who also co-hosts the Office Ladies podcast, played Pam in the mockumentary series from 2005 to 2013 alongside Steve Carell, who portrayed regional manager Michael Scott. The beloved series, which has become a staple on Netflix, is based on a BBC show of the same name featuring Ricky Gervais and consistently ranks among the most popular sitcoms in the U.S.

Jenna revealed that her cancer was discovered after a routine scan in October 2023, which she admitted she had been postponing. "Seeing women post photos of their mammogram appointments on Instagram encouraged me to schedule my own (which I was late for)," she wrote. Following that appointment, further tests confirmed she had "stage 1 triple positive breast cancer."

Fortunately, Jenna said her cancer was caught early, but because the tumor was aggressive, it required multiple rounds of treatment.

Understanding triple-positive breast cancer

There are various types of breast cancer, and triple positive is categorized as a hormone receptor-positive cancer. This designation means that the tumors are stimulated to grow by hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and a protein called HER2, which are naturally present in the body. These cancers are generally more responsive to drug treatments targeting these hormones, helping to inhibit the division and growth of cancer cells.

Cancer Research UK notes that the term "triple positive breast cancer" is not commonly used in the UK, where it is more frequently referred to as "invasive breast cancer." According to the NHS, breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women in the UK, although it can also affect men. Each year, more than 50,000 people in the UK receive a breast cancer diagnosis, and statistics from Cancer Research indicate that one in seven women will be diagnosed at some point in their lives. Despite the fact that it still claims the lives of over 11,000 individuals in the UK annually, Cancer Research reports that survival rates are on the rise, with 76% of patients living for at least 10 years post-diagnosis.

During her chemotherapy, Jenna experienced hair loss and shared a photo on Instagram showcasing her "patchy pixie" cut as it began to regrow. She expressed her readiness to "ditch the wigs" she had been wearing over the past year, noting that "many people" in her life were unaware of her treatment. "I needed spaces and people who did not regard me as a cancer patient," she said.

Jenna emphasized the support she received from those who knew about her condition, including her co-star Angela Kinsey, who plays the meticulous safety officer Angela Martin on The Office 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 recalled.

Jenna informed her followers that she will "continue to be treated and monitored," urging them to "get 'em checked ladies." She pointed out that her tumor was so small it could not be detected during a physical exam and cautioned that had she delayed her scans, "it could have spread." "Should you get a breast cancer diagnosis," she added, "there is a village waiting to care for you."