Katie Thurston Opens Up About Emotional Struggles Amid Cancer Battle

Bachelor Nation’s Katie Thurston is getting candid on the challenges of breast cancer battle.

34-year-old, who appeared on ‘The Bachelorette’ last year following her stint on ‘The Bachelor’ featuring Matt James in 2021, recently posted a heartfelt update about her health, having publicly revealed in February that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

She shared during the March 19th episode of The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast that while she appears alright at the moment, she’s actually struggling emotionally on a deeper level. Over the past four weeks, as she’s been seeking treatment, moving, changing doctors, and dealing with insurance issues, there hasn’t been much time to truly absorb and process her feelings.

Despite my expectations being contradicted by the biopsy results, I found myself in denial, repeatedly thinking, ‘This can’t be true, this can’t be true.’ Even now, I believe a small part of me continues to deny the reality.

Following her first day of treatment, she hopes she can start to “process emotions better.”

When podcaster Ben Higgins mentioned the increase of breast cancer cases among younger women, Katie shared some guidance for those facing a similar situation.

She told him, “It isn’t something for which you should feel responsible,” she explained. “Many women, upon receiving a diagnosis, may wonder, ‘What actions led to this? Was it my choice of birth control? Should I have been a vegan or vegetarian? Did my makeup cause it?’ They often question everything they’ve done in the past and self-blame.

Regarding her second suggestion, she also mentioned, “I strongly believe that joining a community or having conversations with fellow survivors has been incredibly healing for me. Since I’ve shared my story publicly, it feels like this interaction has acted as a powerful remedy.

Katie, who became engaged to comedian Jeff Arcuri just prior to receiving her diagnosis, made sure to underscore the significance of regular self-exams and standing up for one’s own health.

Instead of saying it this way: “Doctors might dismiss concerns due to age by saying ‘You’re fine, you’re fine,’ but I urge individuals to ask their doctors to document these reassurances in their medical records.” She added, “In essence, the doctor will often agree to a check-up more readily when it’s noted, because ultimately, it’s up to each person to be their own strongest advocate.

Besides her personal account, Katie additionally expressed her aspiration that disclosing her journey would contribute to challenging the widespread notion that young women are not susceptible to breast cancer.

She stated, “It used to be thought that breast cancer only affects older individuals, but I serve as an example that this isn’t always the case, and there are countless others like me. I wish for a future where the age for mammograms is lowered or ultrasounds become more accessible to everyone.

Read on for more stars opening up about their cancer journeys.

In the throes of unbridled fandom, I can’t help but share my heartfelt concern. Back in December 2024, the radiant star of The Golden Bachelor revealed his heart-wrenching diagnosis – Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a formidable adversary that threatens bones.

I’ve had to come to terms with the reality that there isn’t a cure for this condition,” I acknowledged to folks back then. “This truth impacts each choice I make significantly. It felt as if a massive 10-ton block of concrete had fallen on me out of nowhere. For a while, I struggled to accept it, choosing instead to deny the reality.

On February 3, 2023, the actor who is recognized for his performances in “The Boys” and “Supernatural,” publicly announced that he had been fighting prostate cancer for a number of years but is now cancer-free.

2018 saw the Vanderpump Rules star disclose to followers that a small amount of cancer was surgically removed from their body, and lymph nodes were also biopsied. (Now cancer-free!)

In a post on Instagram in September 2018, the actress from “Desperate Housewives” disclosed to her followers that she had successfully battled anal cancer. She expressed feelings of liberation, exhilaration, and true authenticity, stating, “After sharing a photo of myself here and using the hashtags #cancer and #hairloss, I feel liberated, deliriously free, and completely myself.

Twice an Academy Award recipient, Hoffman has successfully battled cancer. His representative verified to TopMob News that the doctors declared him as having been “successfully treated surgically.

In 2014, the actor known for playing the X-Men character underwent treatment for a third instance of basal cell carcinoma. Following his third round of treatment, Jackman’s representative informed TopMob News that he is now in perfect health.

Come April 2023, finding myself needing two more biopsies due to basal cell carcinoma, I took the chance to gently nudge all my followers: “As we’re approaching summer for those in the north, don’t forget to slather on that sunscreen!

Previously on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” the actress marked a significant milestone by celebrating one year without cancer in January. As a mother of two, she was diagnosed with endometrial cancer way back in 2013 and underwent a major surgical procedure known as a radical hysterectomy.

Then in 2017, Camille had surgery to remove Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.

Actress from the movie “Avengers: Age of Ultron” faced ovarian cancer at the young age of 25, but triumphed against the odds to have two kids with her spouse, Taran Killam.

The television presenter shared that he had a prostate cancer operation back in July 2013, but since then, he’s received a positive medical report.

The host of “Dancing with the Stars,” following a successful operation to treat thyroid cancer, expressed her gratitude on Twitter, saying, “Thank you for your well-wishes. I’m home now, recuperating and taking it easy.

The actress shared on Twitter, “My doctor called me early Saturday morning to tell me I’m cancer-free!!! Hooray!!!

The actor who starred in “Up All Night” received the reassuring news that they were completely free from breast cancer following their treatment and a double mastectomy procedure.

The Dexter star used a hiatus from his hit series to slay Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In October 2011, an Australian actress disclosed that she had a potentially harmful mole on her calf taken off following her husband’s prompting for her to have a doctor examine a questionable spot.

I’m absolutely thrilled to report that my favorite Scot is back on track, following a recent health scare where they had to excise a suspicious mole under his right eye – like a determined trainspotter, he’s quickly hopping back onto the tracks!

The singer beat breast cancer in 2004 with a “minimally invasive” lumpectomy and radiation therapy.

The Oscar winner declared in early 2011 that his tumor was gone and he had throat cancer “beat.”

The Emmy winner whacked breast cancer in 2004.

Without a doubt, the long-time CNN broadcaster now consistently applies sunscreen as he faces various weather conditions, having had a skin cancer lesion excised from beneath his left eye back in 2008.

The Australian pop star underwent successful surgery for breast cancer in 2005.

Actress from the show “7th Heaven” received a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s disease at age 28. Now, she is 50 and in great shape!

In 2009, the character portrayed by Erika Christensen on Parenthood had to step away from her role due to a battle with breast cancer. Fortunately, her treatment proved effective, and she quickly returned to grace the red carpet once more.

In 2002, during the filming of “The Osbournes,” one of the judges on “America’s Got Talent” received a diagnosis of colon cancer. Instead of letting this situation discourage her, she took advantage of it to emphasize the significance of regular health screenings and fearlessly fought against the disease using chemotherapy. Luckily, she was declared cancer-free the following year.

The Oscar-winning actor battled prostate cancer all the way to Chinatown in 2003, and since then, he’s appeared in approximately 400 films.

In 2007, during her battle with breast cancer, the co-host of Good Morning America confidently showed off her bald head, undergoing chemotherapy.

The victorious cycling champion overcame a four-stage battle with testicular cancer, eventually claiming seven consecutive Tour de France victories.

Following her successful treatment for breast cancer in 2005, which included a lumpectomy and chemotherapy, the Grammy and Oscar winner emerged as an inspiring activist.

Previously famed Saturday Night Live performer took inspiration from her personal journey with breast cancer, which she humorously portrayed in her hit one-woman production titled God Said Ha!, a show that later graced the stage of Broadway.

In 2006, a star known for her role on Sex and the City received a breast cancer diagnosis. Following surgeries and radiation therapies, she was declared cancer-free.

Harris underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

2025-03-21 02:17

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