Former “Bachelorette” star Katie Thurston has shared a candid update on her breast cancer journey, detailing the profound impact the diagnosis has had on her health, new marriage, and future plans. Speaking on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s “Off The Vine” podcast, Thurston offered an in-depth look at her life since revealing her condition in February.
Thurston explained that her treatment for stage four breast cancer involves a form of “maintenance” chemical therapy. Her daily regimen includes four pills and a monthly injection to suppress her ovaries, a measure taken to preserve the possibility of future in vitro fertilization. She shared positive news from a recent checkup, revealing her tumors have shrunk significantly. “On the liver, where it had spread to, you can’t even see it on a chart,” she said. “So this is really, really working for me.”
While celebrating her medical progress, Thurston also spoke about the mental and cognitive challenges. She manages the emotional toll by allowing herself to experience both highs and lows, describing it as a “constant ebb and flow” in the healing journey. However, she identified memory loss and brain fog as the “hardest” hurdles, affecting her work and personal life.
The diagnosis has also reshaped her relationship with her husband, comedian Jeff Arcuri, whom she married just five days before starting treatment. Thurston noted that the health crisis forced them to have “really tough conversations” and has ultimately strengthened their bond. Countering a statistic that men often leave partners after a serious diagnosis, she praised Arcuri’s unwavering support. “He did the opposite. He married me,” she said. “The way that he’s shown up… he has made so many sacrifices and has done so much for me.”
Looking ahead, Thurston remains optimistic despite her stage four cancer being technically incurable. “With so many advancements happening… I’m very optimistic,” she shared, expressing hope for a future with “no evidence of disease.” With her current treatment proving effective, she plans to undergo a double mastectomy in the coming months, followed by breast implants.
Thurston, who has no family history of the disease, concluded with a powerful message of self-advocacy. She recalled that her own painful lump contradicted online information suggesting breast cancer is typically painless, which initially caused her to dismiss the symptom. “I want people to take their health seriously and be confident enough in how to have these conversations with their doctor,” she urged. “I think that will potentially save their life.”
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