Singer-songwriter Jessie J, 37, explains her early-stage breast cancer diagnosis helped reshape her perspective and sense of purpose. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she writes: “Time to fall in love with my altered body again.”
Jessie J learned that embracing more gratitude is a helpful part of her journey. This means being thankful for what you have and showing appreciation for it. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, several studies have indicated that learning to live with gratitude can lead to more happiness and less stress.
Jessie J was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. This type of breast cancer is characterized by a small tumor confined to the breast, with no signs of spread to the lymph nodes, making it highly treatable.
Treatment at this stage often involves surgical removal of the cancer, possibly followed by radiation therapy. Surgery options typically include a lumpectomy, which removes the tumor and surrounding tissue while preserving most of the breast, or a mastectomy, which involves full breast removal.
A major health challenge that causes noticeable changes to your appearance can impact how you feel, physically and emotionally. Psychiatrist Dr. Marianna Strongin encourages cancer warriors to look at and appreciate the parts of their bodies that were affected by treatment to take back ownership.
To help manage your mental health while coping with a diagnosis, some helpful tips include leaning on your support group, journaling, and/or seeking a mental health professional.
Singer-songwriter Jessie J, 37, is known for her powerhouse vocals and fearless stage presence—but behind the spotlight, she’s navigating a deeply personal chapter. Diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer earlier this summer, Jessie J says the experience has reshaped her perspective and given her life new meaning.
“This year has given me a wild perspective and a new purpose and meaning of life that I am truly grateful for,” she shared in a heartfelt Instagram post. “Time to fall in love with my altered body again.”
The diagnosis, which involved a small tumor confined to the breast with no lymph node involvement, is considered highly treatable. Still, Jessie J says the emotional toll has been just as real as the physical one. Through it all, she’s remained open, vulnerable, and determined to keep doing what she loves most—singing.
ASCOT, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 20: Jessie J, Chanan Colman, and baby, Sky Colman, visit LaplandUK at Whitmoor Forest on December 20, 2023, in Ascot, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images)
Performing before a crowd, she delivered a powerful, self-affirming melody: “I love my body, I love my skin, I am a goddess, I am a queen,” weaving in humorous moments that drew laughter and connection from the audience.
“I’m making a promise to myself from today onwards to love myself more. Choose myself more. Act on my instincts more. Be more fearless,” she wrote. “Joy and celebration in life are so key.”
As she looks ahead, Jessie J says she’s embracing the next chapter with intention: “Here’s to the next chapter of life, with more real and deep meaningful conversation. More laughter and more colorful energy.”
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 03: Music artist Jessie J performs onstage during VH1’s 3rd Annual “Dear Mama: A Love Letter To Moms” – Inside Show at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on May 3, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
From chart-topping hits like “Bang Bang” and “Domino,” the mother of one has developed a growing role as a voice for self-love and survivorship. Jessie J continues to inspire—proving that healing isn’t just about treatment, but about reclaiming joy, identity, and purpose.
Jessie’s diagnosis—early-stage breast cancer—typically involves a small tumor with no lymph node involvement. Her treatment included a mastectomy and breast reconstruction, a process many women face with varying options and outcomes.
Dr. Elisa Port, Chief of Breast Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System, explains that “Most women do opt to have some reconstruction.”
WATCH: Regaining your sense of self after reconstruction.
Reconstruction can be immediate (during mastectomy) or delayed (months or years later), with techniques ranging from implants to using a woman’s own tissue. While immediate reconstruction often leads to fewer surgeries and better cosmetic results, it may also involve longer recovery and a higher risk of complications.
“Before ‘No Secrets’ came out, I was diagnosed with early breast cancer … Cancer sucks in any form, but I’m holding onto the word early. I have been in and out of tests throughout this whole period. I just wanted to be open and share it,” Jessie said in an Instagram post.
In a follow-up post, she admitted that even as she continued performing and creating, she hadn’t fully processed the emotional weight of her diagnosis.
“One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I’m not processing it because I’m working so hard. I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support, and also their own stories. I’m an open book.”
That vulnerability extended beyond her own experience. Jessie expressed deep empathy for others facing similar or more severe battles, acknowledging the shared pain that often goes unseen.
“It breaks my heart that other people are going through so much similar, and worse. That’s the bit that kills me.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 15: Jessie J attends the Capital Summertime Ball 2025 at Wembley Stadium on June 15, 2025, in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images)
Even in the midst of physical discomfort, Jessie’s commitment to her craft—and her fans—never wavered. She posted a clip from a recent performance, revealing that she had undergone five breast biopsies the night before taking the stage.
“I was in some discomfort, but so hyped to do it, and I didn’t want to cancel. The more I watch this show back, I can see my brain working in complete overdrive, trying not to blurt it all out.”
Weeks after undergoing breast cancer surgery, Jessie noted how her hair was beginning to fall out.
Jessie J pictured on April 08, 2025, in Los Angeles, California (Photo by River Callaway/WWD via Getty Images)
“My hair has been falling out like crazy since the surgery,” Jessie said.
Hair loss is a common side effect of breast cancer treatment. On the flipside, after treatment, hair tends to regrow.
Jessie J’s journey is a powerful reminder that illness doesn’t erase identity. Through humor, honesty, and heart, she’s showing the world what resilience truly looks like.
The Power of Gratitude: How Cancer Survivors Find Strength in Appreciation
Many cancer survivors who’ve shared their journeys with SurvivorNet speak not only of resilience, but of gratitude. In the face of life-altering diagnoses and grueling treatments, they consistently point to the people, moments, and simple joys that bring light into their lives.
Defined as the practice of recognizing and appreciating what we have, gratitude can be a powerful mindset for those navigating the uncertainty of cancer. Experts interviewed by SurvivorNet encourage both patients and their loved ones to embrace gratitude as a tool for emotional well-being and mental strength.
WATCH: Finding gratitude and its impact on your well-being.
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, has seen firsthand how this mindset can transform the treatment experience.
“The patients who do well with cancer live life with gratitude—not for the disease itself, but for the clarity it brings,” he explains.
“They’re grateful for the opportunity to understand that life is finite, and that every moment matters.”
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, multiple studies show that cultivating gratitude can lead to increased happiness and reduced stress—two critical factors in supporting mental health during treatment.
Practicing gratitude doesn’t require grand gestures. It can be as simple as pausing each day to reflect on what brings you joy or jotting down a few things you’re thankful for in a journal. These small acts can help reframe even the most difficult days, offering a sense of control, hope, and emotional grounding.
Coping With Post-Surgery Scars, Body Image Amid Cancer
Jessie J discusses her “altered body” in social media posts post-treatment. Many patients deal with some sort of change to their body and physical appearance, and coping with that change isn’t always easy. When you are in the middle of a health challenge, you may notice some physical changes in your body. The changes may include weight gain or loss, hair loss, or something invisible to the naked eye.
One way to prepare yourself for possible body changes during cancer treatment is to understand that changes are possible but also frequently temporary. This can also help build up your self-confidence. Your support group, filled with loved ones, can also help you during this stage of your journey.
While surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are treatments that can cause visible changes to one’s physical appearance, other treatments that are less noticeable include endocrine or hormone therapy.
Hormone therapy “slows or stops the growth of hormone-sensitive tumors by blocking the body’s ability to produce hormones,” according to the National Cancer Institute.
Psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin shares with SurvivorNet some additional tips cancer warriors can explore to help manage the emotional toll body changes can have during treatment.
Dr. Strongin encourages cancer warriors to take ownership of the part (or parts) of their body impacted mainly by cancer treatment. She says that although they may represent “fear and pain,” they also represent “strength and courage.”
“Research has found that when looking in the mirror, we are more likely to focus on the parts of our body we are dissatisfied with, which causes us to have a negative self-view and lower self-esteem. Therefore, I would like you to first spend time gazing at the parts of your body you love, give them time, honor them, and then thank them,” Dr. Strongin said.
Dr. Strongin then suggests looking at the part or parts of your body impacted by the cancer or cancer treatment. She recommends creating a regular practice of accepting your body image because it helps you accept your cancer journey emotionally and physically.
“As you allow yourself to spend more time looking at all of you, you will begin having a new relationship with your body. It may not happen immediately, but with time, you can begin honoring and thanking your new body,” Strongin adds.
