‘Domino’ Singer-Songwriter Jessie J, 37, ‘On Laughing & Making Jokes In Hard Times’ Amid Early Stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis

She wrote alongside the footage, “Is it too soon to do a remix called ‘Living my breast life.’ All jokes aside (You know it’s one of the ways I get through hard times).

“This last 2 months have been so amazing, and having this go on along side it on the sideline’s has given me the most incredible perspective. BUT… Your girl needs a hug. Also not getting massive tits. Or am I? No no… I must stop joking.”

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Jessie J explains in the video, shared on Tuesday, “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.

“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.”

Jessie J also offered empathy for others battling a disease, adding, “It breaks my heart that other people are going through so much similar, and worse. That’s the bit that kills me.”

In another post, further expressing her ability to use humor through tough times, she share a clip of her speaking on stage, writing, “I had 5 breast biopsies the night before this show, 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 over drive trying not to blurt it all out.”

RELATED: What to Expect from a Breast Biopsy 

Jessie J continued, “Laughing and making jokes in hard times [handshake] me. And I am in-fact under your bed.”

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The singer of the popular hits “Price Tag” and “Domino” didn’t offer any information on the exact stage of her cancer or what type of treatment she would be undergoing.

However, she did tell her fans that after she attends the Capital Summertime Ball at London’s Wembley Stadium in about a week, she will undergo a surgical procedure.

Jessie J, who described herself as a “open book” when it comes to offering insight on her life, continued, “I just wanted to let you guys know it wasn’t something I planned, but yeah … I’m getting to keep my nipples. That’s good.

“It’s a weird topic and a weird situation and I know that the press are going to say crazy stuff, but you know what? To get diagnosed with this, as I’m putting out a song called “No Secrets” … I mean, you can’t make it up.”

She concluded, “It’s a very dramatic way to get a boob job. I’m going to disappear for a little bit after Summertime ball to have my surgery and I will come back with massive tits and more music.”

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Workup and Diagnosis of Early Stage Breast Cancer

Most breast cancers, around 90%, are found on screening mammograms, while others are found on self-breast exams or clinical exams by a healthcare provider. If your screening mammogram or breast exam is abnormal and concerning for cancer, you will then be referred for more detailed imaging and workup as follows:

• Typically, a diagnostic mammogram (which is a more detailed mammogram) and a breast ultrasound are performed. The lymph nodes in the axilla (armpit) will be looked at as well
• An MRI may be performed to get additional information
• If the imaging is suspicious, a biopsy is performed of the concerning area in the breast and any suspicious lymph nodes in the axilla (armpit)
• The biopsy, if positive for cancer, is tested for several hormone receptor and protein markers, often referred to as “tumor markers”
• Based on all of the information gathered above, additional imaging may be performed to rule out the spread of distant or metastatic disease

Early Stage Breast Cancer: What to Know About Testing

After all of this information is gathered to provide a detailed picture of your breast cancer and stage the cancer. The staging of the cancer gives information about how large the breast mass is and if it has invaded surrounding tissue. Staging also tells us if the disease has spread to lymph nodes or to distant sites. The other hormone receptor and protein marker tests found in the biopsy tell us the cancer cells’ behavior and potential targeted therapies.

Your healthcare team will use several pieces of information, including your personal health and treatment goals, the stage of breast cancer, and information from the biopsy to come up with personalized treatment recommendations.

What Specific Testing is Performed on the Biopsy?

The main information gathered from the biopsy uses histology and tumor marker testing.

Histology

Histology is when the pathologist looks at the cancer cells under the microscope and looks for specific features to provide a grade from 1-3. Grade 1 (well-differentiated) cells are less aggressive, and Grade 3 (poorly differentiated) are more aggressive. Features used to create a grade include:

• rate of cell division (mitotic count)
• irregularity of the cell (nuclear grade)
• the arrangement of the cells in relation to each other
• gland formation

Other valuable information gathered from histology includes the general cell type as well as lymphovascular invasion (LVI). “Lymphovascular invasion, abbreviated LVI, is looking at the tumor under the microscope and seeing if the cancer cells are invading the nearby vasculature. And it gives a sense that this tumor may be more aggressive or have the likelihood to spread,” says Dr. Jessica Tao a medical oncologist at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center specializing in breast cancer.

Tumor Marker or Pathologic Testing

Tumor marker testing looks for specific hormone receptors and proteins in the cell. The presence or absence of these markers is measured by a test called immunohistochemistry (IHC). This expression or levels of these tumor markers is usually reported as a percentage from 0-100%, with 100% meaning all cells express these molecules, while a low % or 0% would mean very few or none of the cells have the tested tumor marker.

Tumor marker testing gives us important information about the behavior of the cancer cells and potential targeted therapies that can be used to treat your cancer.

The testing performed in the initial workup of breast cancer can vary depending on where it is performed, but most tumor marker testing includes:

• Estrogen receptor (ER)
• Progesterone receptor (PR)
• Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)
• Ki-67

In the case of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), the presence or absence tells us not only how the cancer will act but also what targeted therapies specific to the tumor markers are effective. Most targeted therapies that can be used in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer look specifically at estrogen receptor (ER) or HER2-positive cells.

Ki-67 tells us how fast the cells are dividing, with a higher percentage meaning the cells are dividing more quickly, and the cancer is typically more aggressive.

How Does This Information Guide Treatment Recommendations?

All of the information described above is analyzed and used by your healthcare team to guide treatment recommendations. To summarize, the information used includes:

• The stage of breast cancer – the extent of the disease and where it has spread
• The histology – cells observed under the microscope and their behavior
• Tumor marker testing – the presence or absence of specific hormone receptors or proteins on the cancer cells
• Patient-specific factors – overall health, age, goals of treatment

While all of this information guides general recommendations for treatment, tumor marker testing (presence of ER, PR, HER2) provides options for targeted therapies specific to these markers.

The most common type of breast cancer is ER-positive, HER2-negative, representing approximately 60-70% of diagnosed breast cancers. When cells do not have an ER, PR, or Her2 present, it is called triple-negative breast cancer, representing around 15% of cases. HER2-positive breast cancer (which can be ER or PR-positive) represents another 15 – 20% of cases.

Each of these different breast cancer types has different recommendations for targeted therapies. All patients with early-stage breast cancer will typically undergo surgery to remove the cancer. There is often recommended treatment before or after surgery, which can include various combinations of chemotherapy, endocrine therapy targeting the estrogen receptor, Her2 targeted therapy, and radiation. The treatment offered before or after surgery can also depend on the type of surgery you receive (lumpectomy or a mastectomy).

The potential treatment options are varied and difficult to interpret. Decisions regarding treatment for your early-stage breast cancer should be thoroughly discussed with your healthcare team. The important thing to recognize is that a lot of information is gathered and considered to make the best and most personalized treatment recommendations.

If you have questions about the workup and testing performed on your breast cancer or feel you did not receive a complete workup and testing, please consult with your healthcare team.

The Importance of Breast Cancer Screenings

Mammograms are used to screen for breast cancer. Women who haven’t gone through menopause are encouraged to get a mammogram annually between the ages of 45 and 54. If you have experienced menopause, you can get a mammogram every two years.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women begin screening for breast cancer at age 40. Women should talk with their doctor to learn about their cancer risk and assess when a good time is to start annual mammograms.

“We all agree regular screening mammography saves lives,” Dr. Connie Lehman, a professor at Harvard Medical School, previously told SurvivorNet.

Suppose you fit into the high-risk category for breast cancer, meaning a close family relative has been diagnosed. People at higher risk may have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation or had radiation to the chest area when they were young. In cases like this, people in the high-risk category should begin annual mammograms at 30 years old.

The Importance of Laughter & Positivity

We love how Jessie J has remained hopeful during such a stressful time, which is why it’s interesting to note, that according to the National Library of Medicine, research has shown that the amount of pain medication needed for patients is reduced after they watch funny movies.

And perhaps laughter could also help when someone is dealing with the pain that comes amid a health challenge, whether it’s any sort of health battle, like breast cancer.

RELATED: America’s Got Talent’ Star Alex Hooper Reveals Cancer Diagnosis: ‘I Will Treat This Like I Do Everything In My Life With Laughter’

The importance of positivity amid tough times has been seen through stand-up comedian Jesus Trejo in Long Beach, California. Trejo became a caregiver for both of his parents after his mother was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor and his father was later faced with colon cancer. But instead of panicking and focusing on the devastating nature of the situation, the only child stepped up to care for his parents with love and laughter.

In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Trejo opened up about how he put his career aside to care for his parents in their time of need while making time to smile along the way.

Stand-Up Comedian & Cancer Caregiver, Jesus Trejo Reminds Us That ‘Laughter is a Game-Changer’

“The only advice I have for anyone watching this is laugh, and laugh often, laugh at yourself. Don’t take yourself seriously. Things are already bad. Because once you do that, it’s a game-changer,””Trejo told SurvivorNet.

He also says the laughter itself might be brief, but “the effects of it just reverberate through your body, and can change an already bad situation into a better one.”

Focusing on hope, and maintaining a positive attitude amid a health battle can always be helpful.

Anecdotal evidence from SurvivorNet experts points to how a positive mindset can impact a cancer prognosis.

Dr. Zuri Murrell of Cedars-Sinai told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview, “My patients who thrive, even with stage 4 cancer, from the time that they, about a month after they’re diagnosed, I kind of am pretty good at seeing who is going to be OK. Now doesn’t that mean I’m good at saying that the cancer won’t grow.”

“But I’m pretty good at telling what kind of patient are going to still have this attitude and probably going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who, they have gratitude in life.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Dana Chase, a Gynecologic Oncologist at UCLA Health, also says it’s important to try to focus on the good, stay positive, and do things that bring you joy to the degree you’re able to do so amid battling a disease like cancer.

“We know, actually from good studies, that emotional health, quality of life is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better survival, better outcomes,” Dr. Chase said in an earlier interview.

SurvivorNetTV Presents: Maintaining a Positive Headspace

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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