Katie Thurston's Breast Cancer Journey
- “Bachelorette” alum Katie Thurston, who is battling stage four breast cancer that spread to her liver just 14 years after undergoing a lumpectomy following the discovery of a lump in her breast
- Thurston’s specific type of breast cancer is stage 4, hormone-positive, HER-2 negative breast cancer that had spread to her liver. And she has since been prescribed two different oral medications and monthly injections.
- She is undergoing hormone-blocking therapy and is coping with side-effects like medically-induced menopause.
- The medical community has a broad consensus that women have annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54. However, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is saying that women should start getting mammograms every other year at the age of 40, suggesting that this lowered the age for breast cancer screening could save 19% more lives.
Speaking to People, during the BCRF Hot Pink Party on May 13, Thurston said, “Menopause is the worst. The hot flashes will get you; the irritability will get you, but I’m doing the best I can.
Read More“I think there’s a lot of power in sharing our true organic stories with each other to make it less embarrassing or less intimidating and that’s kind of what I’ve been doing with what I call the Booby Broadcast on my channel, openly and being vulnerable and sharing our experiences,” Thurston added.
In another recent interview with Extra TV, Thurston said, “I probably feel the best I’ve felt in the last couple months. I think the beginning stages of learning about your diagnosis and your treatment plan, and we ended up moving from L.A. to New York, it’s been a whirlwind.
“But I’m now finally at a point where I have a team of doctors that I trust, a community of people that I am surrounding myself with and building, and I feel good. All things considered, I feel really good.”
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Offering additional insight into her treatment plan, she explained, “For now I’m on what’s called the first line of treatment, so it’s a daily pill, two daily pills, a monthly shot, and we just essentially do that ‘forever’ until it doesn’t work.
“And then you go to the next line of treatment. And so the way I best describe it is there’s a recipe book of solutions, and so we’re on recipe number one and we hope that it’s gonna work. And in a year, five years from now, I have to change it, that’s okay.”
Expressing her hope for the future, she added, “I’m very optimistic in the medical advancements coming up in the next one year, five years.
“So as much as stage 4 can sound very scary, I feel very at peace with it and ready to just fight.”
Expert Breast Cancer Resources
- Understanding a New Breast Cancer Diagnosis: An Introduction
- Access to Good Information is Crucial After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
- Updated Guidelines on Biomarkers for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
- Chemo Plus Immunotherapy for Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- Metastatic Breast Cancer Sees Advancements in ‘New Era’ of HER2 Classification; Understanding HER2 Breast Cancer
- 6 Common Excuses for Skipping a Mammogram That You Need to Stop Using!
- Getting to Know Your Breasts with Self-Exams
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Thurston’s Stage 4 Breast Cancer Journey
Thurston, who is known for being a contestant on season 25 of “The Bachelor” and starring in season 17 of “The Bachelorette,” took to Instagram this past February to announce her cancer diagnosis.
She wrote, “Yesterday I saw all the couples post their Valentines 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. But instead, my Vday was spent coordinating a place to live as I have to go back to LA for more testing and treatment.
“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.”
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Thurston continued, “I experienced a range of emotions over the past two weeks. Despair. Anger. Sadness. Denial. And then strength. Purposeful.
“Ready. I cried a lot. I tried to even make a video instead of this post and couldn’t.”
She continued—alluding that she was diagnosed with the most common type of breast cancer, known as invasive ductal carcinoma—”But one thing I did early on was search other stories like mine. Other young women with breast cancer. Invasive ductal carcinoma. Mastectomy.
“Pregnancy after breast cancer. All of their stories helped. So I intend to be the same for others. This is day one of sharing and is going to be a long one. This first step of acceptance of my reality was the hardest. But I am ready to fight this.”
Invasive ductal carcinoma, which is also called infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC), is the most common form of breast cancer, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, making up 80% of all breast cancer diagnoses.
“Invasive ductal carcinoma is cancer (carcinoma) that happens when abnormal cells growing in the lining of the milk ducts change and invade breast tissue beyond the walls of the duct,” Johns Hopkins Medicine explains. “Once that happens, the cancer cells can spread. They can break into the lymph nodes or bloodstream, where they can travel to other organs and areas in the body, resulting in metastatic breast cancer.”
Meanwhile, back in 2021, Thurston also opened up about her decision to go through a lumpectomy at just 20-years-old after finding a lump in her breast during a self-exam. She used her experience to share a powerful message about loving your scars and why being your own advocate is important for your health.
In an Instagram story, Thurston told fans about the breast cancer scare which arose while giving herself a self breast exam. In order to take control of the situation, she chose to undergo a lumpectomy, a surgery to remove a cancer or abnormal tissue from the breast by only removing the tumor as opposed to the whole breast. The procedure left her with a scar on her chest which she also showed fans to get her message across.
WATCH: Choosing between a lumpectomy or mastectomy.
“I often get questions about my scar,” Thurston said. “It’s from a lumpectomy after finding a lump in my breast. Because I was only 20, I discovered this on my own.”
Aside from discussing her procedure, Thurston also touched on the importance of being your own advocate and speaking up if you feel that something is wrong.
“Typically women don’t get routine mammograms until their 40s, so it’s important to be your biggest advocate when it comes to your own personal health,” Thurston said.
Now, Thurston continues to share her cancer battle with the public and hopes her story will encourage other women to check their breasts and get routine checkups.
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Understanding The Different Types of Breast Cancer
Thurston’s specific type of breast cancer is reportedly stage 4, hormone-positive, HER-2 negative breast cancer that had spread to her liver. And she has since been prescribed two different oral medications and monthly injections.
It’s important to understand that certain tumors are driven by hormones, or feature proteins that can help determine the best route of treatment.
- A hormone-receptor positive breast cancer is one that needs either estrogen and/or progesterone to grow.
- A HER2-postive breast cancer is one where high levels of the HER2 protein can be found on the outside of the cancer cells.
- A triple negative breast cancer is difficult to treat because it does not have any of the main drivers of breast cancer – the estrogen receptor, the progesterone receptor, and the HER2 receptor. This means hormone therapy won’t work. Chemotherapy is the standard treatment for this cancer.
Understanding Menopause and Early Menopause
Menopause, which Thurston has due to the medicine she is taking to fight breast cancer, is described by the National Institute on Aging, as “a point in time 12 months after a woman’s last period.”
“The years leading up to that point, when women may have changes in their monthly cycles, hot flashes, or other symptoms, are called the menopausal transition or perimenopause,” as per the institute.
The average age women go through the menopausal transition, which usually lasts approximately seven to 14 years, ranges between ages 45 and 55.
“The duration can depend on lifestyle factors such as smoking, age it begins, and race and ethnicity,” the institute explains. “The menopausal transition affects each woman uniquely and in various ways. The body begins to use energy differently, fat cells change, and women may gain weight more easily. You may experience changes in your bone or heart health, your body shape and composition, or your physical function.”
As for early menopause, the National Cancer Institute says it’s a condition which causes the ovaries to stop working and menstrual periods to stop before a woman turns 40. It’s a transition that can lead to fertility issues and symptoms of menopause.
Additionally, early menopause is split up into two types, primary and secondary. According to the National Cancer Institute, “There are two types of early menopause, primary and secondary. Primary early menopause means that the ovaries do not function normally. This may be because they have been removed by surgery, or it may be caused by some cancer treatments and certain diseases or genetic conditions.
“In secondary early menopause, the ovaries are normal but there is a problem getting hormone signals to them from the brain. This is usually caused by diseases of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. Some women with early menopause sometimes have menstrual periods and may be able to have children. Also called ovarian failure, ovarian insufficiency, and premature menopause.”
Treating Metastatic Breast Cancer
With metastatic breast cancer, the primary goal of treatment is to control its spread. SurvivorNet offers information about what those options are from targeted therapies to chemotherapy and when these various treatment options can be used. We also provide information on new, exciting research that is currently being tested in clinical trials and information about when recently approved drugs, like immunotherapies, can be used.
For help finding a clinical trial that may be right for you or a loved one, try our easy-to-use Clinical Trial Finder.
While there have been many developments in recent years when it comes to treating late-stage breast cancer, which therapies can be used will depend on the characteristics of the patient’s cancer.
What are the Treatment Options for Late-Stage Breast Cancer?
Late-stage breast cancer is not one disease, but many different diseases so the options available to different patients vary a great deal. Which treatment doctors recommend will depend on several factors like a woman’s overall health, genetics, the biology of the tumor, and more.
Treatment for late-stage breast cancer can include a combination of:
- Chemotherapy: Oral or IV medications that are toxic to tumor cells
- Hormonal therapies: Drugs that lower estrogen levels or block estrogen receptors from allowing the cancer cells to grow
Targeted therapies: Drugs that target your tumor’s specific gene mutations - Immunotherapy: Medications that stimulate your immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells
- Radiation: The use of high-energy rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors
- Surgery: To remove a cancerous tumor or lymph nodes (uncommon with stage IV; more common in stages I, II, and III)
- Clinical trials: Studies of new medications, treatments, and other therapies offer hope for better outcomes
Treating Her2-positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
Maintaining Quality of Life With Metastatic Breast Cancer
“Metastatic breast cancer is a treatable disease,” explains Dr. Miller. “Fortunately, we have so many new treatments for women with recurrent breast cancer and for many women who look at this as a chronic disease that they can live with “often for many years.”
While treatment for metastatic breast cancer is not curative, it can improve your quality of life. You and your doctor will work together to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.
“Quality of life typically involves many things including treating symptoms effectively and modifying lifestyle to allow time for treatment and to accommodate to living with a chronic disease. A positive attitude doesn’t cure cancer but also contributes to living well with cancer. Faith, spirituality, intimate relationships, friends, and families help as well.”
In some cases, you may need more aggressive therapies that can be lifesaving. Finding the right combination of treatments for your breast cancer and your body may take some time. Be patient and work with your doctor to arrive at the right treatment plan.
Remember, when you are fighting metastatic breast cancer, it can be hard to remember the good in life. No matter what treatments you are undergoing, it’s important to maintain a support system around you and an optimistic outlook.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and unable to go on, seek help. And talk to your physician. Your physician can recommend support groups or other professionals that can help make your journey easier.
Meanwhile, studies of new treatment options are called clinical trials, and they are an essential part of medicine for two reasons: Clinical trials help doctors better understand cancer and discover more effective treatment methods—and they also allow patients to try a treatment before it’s approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which can be life-changing.
WATCH: Clinical Trials Help Find New Treatment Options
Dr. Beth Karlan is a gynecologic oncologist at UCLA Health. She says the goal with clinical trials is to advance cancer research to a point where the disease becomes akin to diabetes, where it becomes a manageable condition.
“Clinical trials hopefully can benefit you, but is also providing very, very vital information to the whole scientific community about the effectiveness of these treatments,” Dr. Karlan said. “They can be lifesaving. In the last few years, we’ve seen many children and adults who have participated in trials and had miraculous results.”
What To Ask Your Doctor
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about keeping your strength through treatment. Here are a few questions to help you begin the conversation with your doctor:
- What treatment will I be receiving?
- What side effects are associated with this treatment?
- Are there steps I can take daily to help minimize these side effects?
- What physical activity routine do you recommend for me during treatment?
- Do you have recommendations for someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy exercise?
- Can you recommend a dietician who can help me with healthy eating tips and weight maintenance?
- I’ve been having trouble sleeping. Do you have any treatment recommendations?
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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