Navigating Breast Cancer
- Actress Lucy Davis, 53, is living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, discovered in early 2025 and now spread to her spine, hip, and ribs, while her former co‑star Jenna Fischer was diagnosed a year earlier with stage 1 triple‑positive breast cancer.
- Jenna Fischer, 52, says her diagnosis dates are “burned into my brain,” and because triple‑positive tumors respond well to hormone‑based therapy, she is now cancer‑free and “grateful every time I have a new scan.”
- Metastatic breast cancer is incurable, and treatment focuses on managing progression and symptoms; as doctors explain, cancer spreads through the bloodstream or lymphatic system and can cause issues in the bones, lungs, liver, or brain depending on where it travels.
- Davis urges others not to ignore subtle changes—her lump felt like a “tiny hard spot”—and says she’s trying to live life fully while relying on treatments such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and clinical trials that can extend life even in stage 4 disease.
Her former co‑star Jenna Fischer, 51, faced her own diagnosis just over a year earlier, in December 2023, when doctors identified early‑stage breast cancer.
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For patients diagnosed early, breast cancer typically comes with more treatment options and a stronger chance of long‑term control.
“I’m thankful to be cancer-free. I’m grateful every time I have a new scan, and I get that news. (My pink sisters know the anxiety that comes with those scans,” Fischer said.
However, for those like Davis, whose cancer is metastatic, the focus shifts: at stage 4, the disease is considered incurable, and treatment centers on managing progression and maintaining quality of life.
Living With Advanced Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancer means cancer cells have spread from the breast to other parts of the body, which may include the bones, liver, lungs, brain, and beyond.
Breast cancer spreads through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The blood carries cancer cells to different body parts, where they grow as new tumors.
As the cancer spreads to other body parts, patients may experience additional symptoms depending on where the cancer has spread. Examples include:
- Bones: Severe bone pain or fractures
- Lungs: Difficulty breathing, chest pain, new cough
- Liver: Yellowing of the skin (jaundice), abdominal pain, nausea, and/or vomiting
- Brain: Headaches, memory loss, changes in vision, seizures
Davis said in a recent Instagram post that she did not think much about a small lump at first.
“The initial lump that I felt wasn’t a ‘lump’ as such; rather, a kind of hard spot. Really tiny. I almost didn’t bother getting it checked. So I guess I’m saying don’t ignore anything – get everything checked out,” Davis said.
“As of now, I’m trying to live out whatever might be left of my life in as fun a way as I possibly can. I always like to find the teachable moments in anything negative that happens. And cancer has not disappointed in that regard; there’s a lot I have learned from it, and I’m grateful for that,” Davis continued.
WATCH: Treatment options for metastatic breast cancer.
Although stage 4 breast cancer is not curable, several treatment options exist that can extend the life of patients. Treatment options depend on the stage, type of primary breast cancer, and whether hormone receptors are positive.
Treatment 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.
More on Fischer’s Cancer Journey and Road to Remission
“In January [2024], I had a lumpectomy to remove the tumor,” Fischer explained. A lumpectomy is a procedure that removes the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue.
“Luckily, my cancer was caught early, and it hadn’t spread into my lymph nodes or throughout the rest of my body; however, because of the aggressive nature of triple-positive breast cancer, it still required chemotherapy and radiation to be sure it didn’t return,” Fischer added.
She underwent 12 rounds of weekly chemotherapy in February 2024 and began three weeks of radiation in June 2024.
“I lost my hair during chemotherapy, but thanks to some great wigs and hats with hair, I have been able to wait until now to reveal all that has been going on for me.”
“In January [2024], I had a lumpectomy to remove the tumor,” Fischer explained. A lumpectomy is a procedure that removes the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue.
“Luckily, my cancer was caught early, and it hadn’t spread into my lymph nodes or throughout the rest of my body; however, because of the aggressive nature of triple-positive breast cancer, it still required chemotherapy and radiation to be sure it didn’t return,” Fischer added.
She underwent 12 rounds of weekly chemotherapy in February 2024 and began three weeks of radiation in June 2024.
“In January [2024], I had a lumpectomy to remove the tumor,” Fischer explained. A lumpectomy is a procedure that removes the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue.
“Luckily, my cancer was caught early, and it hadn’t spread into my lymph nodes or throughout the rest of my body; however, because of the aggressive nature of triple-positive breast cancer, it still required chemotherapy and radiation to be sure it didn’t return,” Fischer added.
She underwent 12 rounds of weekly chemotherapy in February 2024 and began three weeks of radiation in June 2024.
“I lost my hair during chemotherapy, but thanks to some great wigs and hats with hair, I have been able to wait until now to reveal all that has been going on for me,”
Hair loss is challenging for women and men alike, but it can be incredibly difficult for cancer patients. Losing your hair or seeing it thinning is often a side effect of some cancer treatments.
“For cancer patients, losing one’s hair can be unbelievably stressful. To start with, the dread of losing one’s hair can lead to some sleepless nights and feelings of anxiety,” Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, told SurvivorNet.
To cope, Dr. Boardman suggested reaching out to other survivors who have been through a similar situation.
Chemotherapy can cause hair loss. It usually begins about three to four weeks after starting chemotherapy and continues throughout treatment.
This happens because this treatment targets quickly dividing cells throughout the body, including cancer cells and hair cells.
Radiation is another treatment that can lead to hair loss if the hair is in the path of the tumor being treated. Radiation for a brain tumor, for example, may cause hair loss.
“If you do lose hair, it will regrow several weeks or months after treatment,” radiation oncologist Dr. James Taylor told SurvivorNet. “Fortunately, for most patients, hair loss is not a concern when having radiation therapy.”
Fortunately, hair loss during cancer treatment is not all bad news. Most people can expect regrowth four to six weeks after treatment. However, when your hair grows back, you may notice some changes in its color and texture.
If losing your hair is a concern for you before cancer treatment, know you have options like wigs, hats, and wraps, as Fischer used.
Although Fischer had Shaerer to help her through the ups and downs of her cancer journey, Fischer took to Instagram to encourage others battling the disease.
“I’m also sharing in hopes that it will be a source of support to any woman who is going through this right now,” Fischer said.
“Suddenly, everything in your life is geared around one thing: fighting cancer,” Fischer said.
Fischer revealed a year after her diagnosis that she had reached remission.
“After completing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, I am now cancer-free,” Fischer said.
Radiation Therapy: A Powerful Tool with Long-Term Considerations
Fischer’s treatments included radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy—using high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells—is a common follow-up to breast cancer surgery, especially for patients who choose a lumpectomy over a mastectomy. Its goal: reduce the risk of recurrence by targeting any lingering cancer cells in the breast or surrounding tissue.
While effective, radiation can come with side effects, both immediate and delayed. Common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Swelling
- Scar tissue
- Shortness of breath
One of the more serious concerns involves the heart, which can unintentionally absorb radiation due to its proximity to the breast.
“When the radiation is delivered, unfortunately, the heart happens to be somewhere very near to where they have their breast cancer, and it becomes an innocent bystander absorbing some of the radiation,” explained Dr. Jean-Bernard Durand to SurvivorNet.
This exposure can lead to complications such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and even heart failure—sometimes surfacing decades after treatment.
“We make it a point to see them on a regular basis so that we can catch these things very early and treat them,” Dr. Durand added.
Even advanced techniques like proton therapy, which aim to minimize damage to healthy tissue, aren’t immune to side effects. Fatigue remains a common complaint, and the risk of long-term injury still exists.
“Radiation is a form of energy… and when we give radiation, it has the ability to scatter,” Dr. Durand said. “Even though we may target one particular area, that scattering of energy can cause injury to the local surrounding structures, including the heart.”
Over time, this injury can lead to the development of scar tissue within the heart muscle, its electrical system, and blood supply.
“We believe it is what causes all the injury, that ultimately leads to the symptoms,” he explained.
For survivors, this underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and open conversations with care teams.
Radiation treatment continues to evolve, with ongoing debates among experts about how to reduce side effects while optimizing outcomes. Dr. Shah outlined three key areas of discussion:
- Whole vs. Partial Breast Radiation: Shortening treatment duration and minimizing side effects are promising, though long-term data are still emerging.
- Identifying Patients Who May Not Need Radiation: Some individuals may not benefit from radiation, and omitting it could reduce unnecessary risks.
- Technique Optimization: Advancements in delivery methods aim to improve effectiveness while limiting harm to healthy tissue.
“I think the first debate that we have is whole breast radiation versus partial breast radiation and the idea of reducing duration of treatment and reducing side effects for patients, albeit with less than 10 years’ worth of long-term data,” Dr. Shah explained to SurvivorNet.
Managing Chemotherapy and Its Side Effects
Chemotherapy is an effective tool for oncologists to help treat cancer by stopping cancerous cells from growing, dividing, and spreading to other organs. Chemo works by traveling through the bloodstream, killing cancerous cells. However, healthy cells are also impacted in the process, leading to side effects.
Patients almost universally experience fatigue, often alongside gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea. Doctors have many effective medications to combat chemo-induced nausea. “But mitigating that fatigue often depends on the patient,” says Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle.
“Neuropathy is probably one of the most challenging side effects,” says Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle. Neuropathy results from damage to the peripheral nerves. It usually resolves after chemotherapy treatment, but sometimes symptoms can persist. While it’s typically characterized by numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation in the hands and feet, neuropathy can have several different symptoms, including:
- Weakness in the hands or feet
- Stabbing or burning pain in the hands or feet
- Difficulty gripping, such as when holding a fork
- Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as writing or buttoning a shirt
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy. When chemotherapy affects the rapidly dividing cells in the lining of the stomach, the resulting cellular havoc in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to side effects such as nausea and vomiting. However, doctors can help patients mitigate the hit with various medications before, during, and after treatment.
“Part of the chemotherapy prescription includes a set regimen of anti-nausea medications,” says Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle. “We also ensure that patients have medications at home that they can use should they develop nausea after treatment.”
Hair loss is another side effect of chemotherapy.
WATCH: Coping with hair loss.
“For cancer patients, losing one’s hair can be unbelievably stressful. To start with, the dread of losing one’s hair can lead to some sleepless nights and feelings of anxiety,” Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, told SurvivorNet.
Chemotherapy can cause hair loss. It usually begins about three to four weeks after chemotherapy and continues throughout treatment.
It happens because this treatment targets quickly dividing cells throughout the body. That includes cancer cells but also hair cells.
Most patients can expect regrowth four to six weeks after treatment. However, it is possible that when your hair grows back, you may notice some changes in its color and texture.
RELATED: How are chemotherapy side effects managed for ovarian cancer treatment?
Tips for Navigating Chemo Side Effects
When dealing with fatigue, doctors don’t have an arsenal of weapons to combat fatigue in terms of prescription medications. However, you can do several things to help minimize the hit and restore your energy.
- Exercise: While it may be counterintuitive, physical activity can help alleviate side effects, especially fatigue. “Although ovarian cancer is not common, we often draw upon the experience of patients with breast cancer and colon cancer, who have shown that physical activity can not only improve quality of life but may also have beneficial impacts on cancer outcomes,” Dr. Urban says.
- Eat well: Even though nausea may interfere with your ability to eat a healthy diet, it’s essential to ensure you’re eating appropriately, getting enough protein, and not losing weight. Not only will nourishing your body support your recovery, but it may also help you feel more energized.
- Sleep: Want to mitigate fatigue? Be sure to maintain your regular sleep-wake cycle while on treatment. Sticking to a set sleep schedule helps reduce fatigue by ensuring enough hours for your body to heal and restore itself each night. It may also help you recover more quickly by keeping energy levels high during the daytime.
Treating Neuropathy Symptoms
Doctors have several strategies for helping patients deal with this side effect. Once a patient begins experiencing the symptoms of neuropathy, they’ll be carefully monitored to make sure it doesn’t get worse. Before each chemotherapy infusion, the attending oncologist will assess whether the symptoms have progressed. If the symptoms worsen, they may adjust the dose or delay treatment. They may also try switching to another chemotherapy drug.
How to Get a Handle on Nausea
Most of these anti-nausea medications last for more than eight hours. One of the infusions commonly used reduces the degree of nausea for up to three days.
Complementary approaches may also be helpful. A few favorites:
- Ginger: Studies consistently show that ginger helps alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea. The powerful herb appears to have an anti-spasmodic effect on the gut. Not a fan of raw ginger? Suck on ginger candy, sip ginger ale, or make a steaming cup of ginger tea.
- Pressure bracelets: at your local pharmacy, these bracelets provide consistent pressure on a particular acupressure point on the wrist to reduce nausea.
- Deep breathing: Moving air in and out of your lungs with a few deep breaths can help relieve nausea, particularly if you pair deep breathing exercises with meditation. It can also help you relax and release stress and anxiety.
WATCH: Managing chemo side effects.
Coping with Hair Loss
If losing your hair is a concern for you before cancer treatment, know you have options like wigs, hats, wraps, and scarves, among other things.
Another option that can minimize hair loss is cryotherapy, “just a fancy way for saying cold therapy,” says Dr. Renata Urban, gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Cryotherapy involves wearing cold caps or special cooling caps before, during, and after each chemotherapy treatment.
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?
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