Katie Thurston Shares One Year Update on Cancer Journey

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Katie Thurston is feeling optimistic.

A year after being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, the former star of The Bachelorette shared good news about her health: recent MRI and PET scans showed her condition is stable.

Katie shared in an Instagram video on February 17th that, while positive progress has been made, her tumor hasn’t shrunk for the first time in a year – it’s remained stable. This news initially caused her some anxiety.

Katie was initially concerned when her test results suggested the treatment might not be effective. However, her oncologist explained that the tumor hasn’t grown, despite short pauses in her medication, so she doesn’t need to consider different treatment options.

When treatment begins, your body experiences a significant change, almost like a shock. I suddenly went into menopause and started taking powerful medications. It’s typical for the tumor to shrink quickly at first, but then that rate of shrinkage usually slows down as treatment goes on.

She shared that her tumor has decreased in size by 50% over the past year, which is very positive. Her recent PET scan also didn’t show any signs of the cancer spreading.

Although her current treatment is still going well, Katie—who married Jeff Arcuri in 2025 while dealing with her health issues—has also chosen to have surgery.

I’m meeting with my surgeon this Friday to discuss a double mastectomy. My doctor has already determined it’s the right option for me, and we’ll go over the details in person to plan the procedure.

She added, “’Cause that’s a very big next step in my cancer treatment journey.”

Although Katie is doing well with her own health, her family is facing a new challenge. She recently revealed that her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in January.

I was so heartbroken to learn a few weeks ago that my mom has breast cancer. She shared the news on Instagram with an old photo of us together, and what’s really surprising is that it wasn’t her doctors who actually found it. It’s just… a lot to process.

Even though Katie’s mom’s mammogram looked normal, Katie urged her to get a breast ultrasound just to be safe.

She discovered suspicious lumps during a breast ultrasound. Further tests, including an MRI and biopsies, were quickly scheduled. Remarkably, just two weeks after a normal mammogram – and after she insisted on getting checked – she received a cancer diagnosis.

Katie traveled to Seattle to be with her mother for her first appointment, and she felt hopeful about the situation, explaining that they were able to detect the issue early because they proactively spoke up for her mother’s health.

To look back on what Katie has shared about her cancer journey, keep reading…

In the summer of 2024, Katie Thurston found a small lump in her breast. Initially, she wasn’t too worried, thinking it might be related to her menstrual cycle or just muscle soreness from exercise. Katie, known from The Bachelorette, had a non-cancerous cyst removed from the same breast when she was 20, so she assumed this new lump was similar. However, when it didn’t disappear, she decided to see a doctor. She shared in February 2025 that she’d expected the appointment to be routine, but unfortunately, she was mistaken.

Oh my gosh, I’ve been following Katie’s story and it’s just… so much. It started with her doctor sending her for an ultrasound, then a mammogram, and finally a biopsy. She shared in a video on Instagram – March 18th, 2025 – that they couldn’t really know if it was cancer until after the biopsy, and she said she’ll never forget that moment. She even talked about it on Good Morning America the next day! She said it was the worst feeling ever, especially because breast cancer doesn’t run in her family, and as a 34-year-old, you just aren’t prepared for something like that. She first told us all on February 15th that it was stage 3. She posted on Instagram about how she felt everything – despair, anger, sadness, even denial – but then she found strength. She cried a lot, but she decided to document everything. She said she searched for stories of other young women going through the same thing – invasive ductal carcinoma, mastectomies, even thinking about having kids after cancer – and those stories helped her so much. Now she wants to be that for someone else. She said day one of sharing is going to be a long one, and accepting it was the hardest part, but she’s ready to fight! It’s just… so inspiring and heartbreaking all at once.

Katie received a cancer diagnosis just five months after getting engaged to comedian Jeff Arcuri, whom she met on Instagram in spring 2024. She shared with GMA that they had been planning a wedding and starting a family, but now their focus is on her treatment and recovery.

To preserve the possibility of having children, Katie and Jeff underwent IVF, retrieving 17 eggs. Unfortunately, only 6 were fertilized, and after testing, they were able to freeze 2 viable embryos. Katie detailed the process on Instagram, explaining the realities of IVF.

They also discussed the possibility of using a surrogate in the future, and Katie asked for understanding and support for celebrities who choose that path, emphasizing that people often don’t know the personal struggles others are facing. Despite their desire for a family, Katie and Jeff have also come to terms with the possibility of remaining a childless couple.

Katie and Jeff decided to get married on March 22, 2025, in New York, after Katie moved across the country to be with him following a long-distance relationship. They had a small, intimate ceremony in their apartment’s backyard, including their parents, the officiant, and their new dog, Charlie.

Katie told Us Weekly it was a very sweet decision. With Katie undergoing chemotherapy, they wanted to move forward with a wedding while they could. Jeff surprised her one night by saying he wanted to reaffirm his love and commitment, and proposed getting married the very next day.

While they plan to have a larger wedding in the future, Katie explained that Jeff’s proposal was a way of showing he’d be with her through everything, in sickness and in health.

Jeff also shared a practical reason for wanting to get married right away. He wanted to have the ability to be by her side in the hospital and be recognized as her husband, feeling it would give him more power and support during a difficult time. He didn’t want to be apart from her through any of it.

Just days after Jeff and Katie got married, Katie revealed she has stage 4 cancer. A recent PET scan showed spots on her liver. In a video posted on March 28, 2025, she acknowledged that a stage 4 diagnosis can be frightening, but she remains hopeful. Because her cancer is triple-positive and the spots were found early and are relatively small, she feels positive about her chances for recovery.

After receiving a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, Katie shared an update on her treatment. Initially, she explained that the cancer in her liver originated from her breast cancer, meaning her breast cancer would be the primary focus of treatment, starting with six rounds of chemotherapy.

However, just before starting chemo, Katie received surprising news. She had prepared everything for her first session – a cooling cap, socks, snacks, and medications – and her aunt had even traveled to support her. But a recent pathology review showed her cancer was HER2 negative, despite earlier tests indicating it was HER2 positive. This meant she needed to consult with her doctor to understand the discrepancy and how it would affect her treatment.

As a result, Katie said it appeared chemotherapy was no longer an option. While she acknowledged this should be good news, she also expressed frustration at receiving three updated diagnoses in just two months, emphasizing the importance of thorough testing and a second medical opinion in navigating her cancer journey.

Katie is facing her cancer diagnosis with courage, taking each day as it comes. In a recent post, she shared her honest feelings, admitting there are moments of frustration and questioning, but emphasizing the importance of making the most of her life. She reflected on the common advice to ‘live like you’re dying,’ noting it’s more challenging when you’re actually facing a life-threatening illness. She also acknowledged that everyone is moving towards the same inevitable end, making every day precious, with or without a cancer diagnosis. Katie wants to focus on cherishing her time and finding joy, despite the challenges. She also shared an important message with her followers: don’t delay – be proactive about your health and get regular checkups. Early detection could save your life.

Nearly two months in treatment, Katie shared another new reality. 

In an Instagram post from June 1, 2025, she revealed she’s been struggling with memory loss. She described a recent experience at customs where she completely forgot where she was traveling from, leaving her feeling distressed and confused.

She mentioned having a minor argument with her husband, though she couldn’t recall exactly what it was about.

I told Jeff, ‘This has happened before.’ He asked when, and I said, ‘I’m not sure, but I know it has!’

She said they can now find humor in the situation, but acknowledges how awful cancer is. She alternates between telling herself to stay positive and allowing herself to feel upset, admitting it’s a truly terrible experience.

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2026-02-18 17:19