Katie Thurston was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2025 at the age of 34.
“I had a small lump in my breast around the 10’oclock [sic] spot,” the former Bachelorette wrote via her Instagram Stories that same month. “I discovered it myself. Thought maybe it was my period [or] maybe it was muscle soreness from working out. But, eventually, this lump never went away.”
Thurston subsequently visited her doctor for a mammogram, which indicated the presence of cancerous tissue. She later underwent a biopsy to learn more about the type of cancer.
“Good news! My cancer hasn’t metastasize[d],” Thurston shared via her Instagram Stories on February 21, 2025, noting the malignant tissue was confined in her lymph nodes. “Two more appointments left in LA before officially moving to NYC [on] March 1st. The anticipated order of things is fertility (egg/embryo freezing), chemo, then surgery.”
Ahead of her cancer treatment, Thurston moved to the Big Apple with her now-husband, Jeff Arcuri. (Thurston and the comedian got engaged in late 2024 and married in March 2025.)
“I’m so thankful for my family, friends, and community here for helping me make it to my current stage [sic] of mind,” she added. “Today I feel calm, less scared, and ready.”
Keep scrolling for a full timeline of Thurston’s cancer battle:
November 2024
Thurston discovered a lump in her breast in late 2024, noting the following February on her Instagram Stories that the pain continued for “three [or] four months.”
“My first lump [which was a benign cyst] felt like a pea or marble [and] hard, unnatural, but didn’t cause me discomfort. The second felt larger,” she recalled in February 2025. “The pain initially came and went, but maybe after 3-4 months of it not going away or improving, I got nervous and saw my doctor.”
Thurston had a breast ultrasound, a mammogram and multiple biopsies, which confirmed the presence of cancer.
February 2025
Thurston was diagnosed shortly before Valentine’s Day, revealing the news publicly several hours later.
“Yesterday I saw all the couples post their Valentine’s Day celebrations. I felt envious if I’m being honest. Jeff took me to Hawaii and after, we were going to travel the world before planting roots together in NYC finally,” she wrote via Instagram on February 15. “But instead, my Vday was spent coordinating a place to live as I have to go back to LA for more testing and treatment.”
She added, “I used my morning to figure out insurance for NYC and laws on preexisting conditions. I scheduled appointments for another biopsy, fertility, mental health, surgery, as well as meeting with my team to discuss the overall treatment plan, which will include chemo.”
Thurston had another biopsy, this time on her lymph nodes, on February 19.
“Finished biopsy. Went much better this time,” Thurston wrote via her Instagram Stories. “Took lorazepam, explained my last appt struggles and asked for more numbing, and they allowed Jeff to be there holding my hand.”
The biopsy indicated that Thurston’s cancer hadn’t metastasized further.
“24 hours apart. Still swollen and healing,” she wrote. “Stiches under my chin. I had a tiny drain where that dot is by my ear. The drain was removed next day. I’ll do a more in-depth video as I continue to learn things and see the progress over the next few weeks to months.”
Thurston then told fans that she was “only sharing my journey for transparency and for those who are interested.”
“Not trying to influence you to do this or make a statement about what is and isn’t beautiful,” she shared. “We often compare ourselves to others, and I think it’s important to be open and honest about things like this so that we are being realistic. And if people want to remain private about what they do to feel better about themselves, that’s OK. I just want to remind everyone that we do live in a world of cosmetic procedures, filters and FaceTune. And at the end of the day, do what makes YOU happy.”
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