Working Through Cancer
- Actress Jenna Fischer has praised fellow “Office” actress Lucy Davis for her determination to keep working while living with stage 4 breast cancer, calling work a source of comfort and encouraging others to spread that message.
- Davis was diagnosed with breast cancer about 18 months ago and kept it private until she shared the news on Instagram on August 11, 2026.
- Fischer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and beat the disease after completing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
- Some cancer patients can continue to work during cancer treatment, while others may need to take some time away. Doctors recommend returning to work if possible, as it helps cancer patients regain a sense of normalcy. However, if treatment side effects or scheduling demands make it hard to meet work expectations, stepping back or reducing your hours may be the best option.
- Cancer patients choosing to work but needing some accommodations on the job may be protected by the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
- Check out SurvivorNet’s doctor‑supported platform, “My Health Questions,” an AI-powered tool for clarity and support.
In response to Davis’ recent Instagram post, revealing she’s been battling stage 4 breast cancer privately for about 18 months, the “Office Ladies” podcast co-host commented, “Beautiful post. Love you lots. And yes to working with cancer! Let’s spread that message far and wide! How working is such a comfort!”
Read MoreDavis wrote alongside the footage, “I wanted to share something with you all that I’ve kept to myself for a while but for various reasons would like to share now. A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer, which has metastasized to my bones. Specifically to my spine, right hip, and my ribs. The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo.
“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.”
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Davis explained further, “The thing that has been most vital to me is humor. I asked my friends and family to make fun of me as much as possible (which they’re really good at), and most importantly of all to not treat me like a sick person. There’s nothing that will make you feel more unwell than being treated as if you’re unwell.
“… I’m still going to keep up all my work for animal rights. It’s so important to me. And I still would like to keep working. I’m perfectly able to do so, and acting is one of the biggest joys in my life.”
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She also explained how determined she is to live her life to the fullest, while sharing the lessons cancer has taught her and the physical challenges she now faces, including significant pain and difficulty standing or walking for long periods.
“For those of you on a similar journey to mine, I do wish you well. Cancer asks a lot from us, physically and mentally. And we all get to do it however we choose,” Davis concluded.
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Jenna Fischer’s Battle With Breast Cancer
Fischer, now cancer-free, received her diagnosis of stage 1 triple-positive breast cancer in December 2023.
Her diagnosis followed a routine mammogram – which screens for breast cancer – returned “inconclusive results,” as per a statement she shared on Instagram.
After undergoing a biopsy, a procedure that tests the breast tissue for signs of cancer, her diagnosis was confirmed.
She was informed she had triple-positive breast cancer, which is a subtype of breast cancer where the tumor cells express estrogen (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein on its surface.
Triple-positive breast cancer tends to be more responsive to hormone therapy, which essentially cuts off the estrogen, progesterone, and HER2, which act like fuel for the cancer to grow.
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Fischer explained, “[The cancer] is also highly responsive to treatment. In January [2024], I had a lumpectomy to remove the tumor.” 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.
In February 2024, Fischer completed 12 weekly chemotherapy sessions. She later began a three-week course of radiation therapy in June 2024.
“After completing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, I am now cancer-free,” Fischer publicly stated once she reached remission.
Deciding When to Work or Step Back Amid Cancer Treatment
“We always encourage people to continue to work if they can,” Sarah Stapleton, a clinical social worker at Montefiore Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet. “I think it creates a sense of normalcy for patients.”
If you can work, you’ll be busy, and you may not be worrying about how your treatment is going, Stapleton adds.
Sometimes, cancer can make you feel isolated and lonely, and being around people for work can alleviate feelings of loneliness.
It’s important for you to have a conversation with your doctor before continuing to work during treatment. Ask your physician what you can and cannot do so you don’t disrupt ongoing treatment.
Remember, sometimes cancer treatment can cause fatigue, leaving you unable to fulfill your duties as you once could.
Fortunately, some on-the-job accommodations can make working during cancer treatment a little easier.
It’s important to remember that people with job problems related to cancer are protected by the Rehabilitation Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act. Others may also benefit from the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This law allows many people with serious illnesses to take unpaid leave to get medical care or manage their symptoms.
Your human resources department should be able to share with you your options.
In some situations, employers must accommodate a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the employer can show it would be an undue hardship to do so. This could mean making changes to work schedules, equipment, or policies.
WATCH: Will my cancer get me fired?
Laurie Ostacher, a behavioral health clinician at Stanford Health Care, recommends cancer patients talk with their employer about accommodations they may need upon returning to work.
“Patients need to let their employer know [they’re] going to need some flexibility… Because there are going to be days when you’re not as energetic or feeling as well as other days,” Ostacher explained.
When some of these benchmarks cannot be met because you’re struggling with treatment side effects or your treatment schedule interferes with your work schedule, perhaps stepping back from work or reducing your work schedule may be ideal.
Ultimately, you should remain in constant communication with your care team about your plans to work – or not – as that can factor into your overall treatment regimen.
Treatment Options for Advanced Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancer (also called stage 4), which Davis is living with, 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
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.
Breast Cancer Screenings
As for breast cancer screenings, a mammogram is the primary test doctors use to check for breast cancer. The wide consensus is that women should have regular mammograms beginning in their 40s.
Leading organizations like the American Cancer Society say women should have the option to begin annual screenings between 40 and 45. An independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently changed their guidelines to say that women of average risk should begin at 40 and get mammograms every other year.
Dr. Connie Lehman, a diagnostic radiologist who specializes in breast cancer at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, says when you begin mammograms is a decision you should discuss with your doctor, as they can help you understand your specific circumstances and weigh the benefits and potential risks of earlier screening.
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Your mammogram results may lead your doctor to recommend further testing with a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If these tests suggest changes that might be cancer, you’ll need a biopsy a test in which your doctor removes a small sample of tissue and has it checked for cancer in a lab.
Only a biopsy can confirm or rule out whether you have breast cancer.
Although it can be frightening to go through breast cancer testing, SurvivorNet’s doctors say not to fret. It’s possible for a biopsy to find that a lump is benign or not cancerous.
If you do receive a breast cancer diagnosis, you’ll learn what type of breast cancer you have and the stage of the disease. The stage means how far in your body the cancer has spread.
Though most breast cancers are not linked to inherited genetic mutations, knowing whether you have a mutation could affect the type of treatment you get. SurvivorNet experts recommend all women who are diagnosed with breast cancer be given genetic testing.
Based on your test results, preferences, and personal circumstances (such as your age), you and your doctor will make decisions about how to proceed with treatment, which we have plenty of expert resources on.
Finding the Support You Need
If you ever need support and aren’t sure where to turn, know that help is available. A social worker or life coach can guide you and connect you with community groups of people in similar situations, or you might lean on a trusted friend or mentor for guidance and encouragement.
“Some people don’t need to go outside of their family and friends’ circle. They feel like they have enough support there,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik told SurvivorNet.
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“But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it’s important to reach out to a mental health professional.”
Dr. Plutchik also stressed how important it is for people supporting cancer survivors to understand their emotions can vary day-to-day.
“People can have a range of emotions, they can include fear, anger, and these emotions tend to be fluid. They can recede and return based on where someone is in the process,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Dr. Charmain Jackman, a licensed psychologist and founder of InnoPsych, echoes the benefits of positive mental health while facing a health diagnosis.
“In the face of a life-threatening diagnosis, fear, hopelessness, and despair can quickly take space in your mind,” Dr. Jackman explained.
“However, your mindset is a superpower and can be a potent antidote to illness. Practicing gratitude, cultivating joy, and connecting to the community are practical ways to develop a resilient mindset.”
Resilient learning to overcome any obstacle
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
