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Former Bachelorette star Katie Thurston has revealed that her breast cancer has progressed to stage four after doctors detected signs of the disease in her liver. The 34-year-old announced on Instagram, four days after disclosing the possibility of her diagnosis advancing from stage three to stage four.
“After days of waiting, unfortunately, I did find out today that my breast cancer has spread to the liver. It is fairly small, but that puts me at stage four,” Thurston said in an emotional video.
Thurston was initially diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, a common form of breast cancer, in February. Despite numerous tests, she had not undergone a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan until recently. The scan, which helps detect early signs of cancer, revealed the presence of suspicious spots on her liver.
Focus on Fertility Before Treatment
In her latest update, Thurston shared that she chose to prioritize fertility preservation before starting cancer treatment. This decision, though delaying her treatment, was important to her. “I decided to focus on fertility before doing treatment,” she explained.
Her diagnosis journey has now extended to 43 days without treatment. However, she assured her followers that her new treatment plan, which involves chemotherapy, is set to begin on Friday. Her regimen will include six treatments, spaced three weeks apart.
Remaining Optimistic Amidst Challenges
Despite the daunting diagnosis, Thurston remains hopeful. As a triple-positive breast cancer patient, her condition is considered treatable.
“I know stage four can sound very scary, and it can be. However, given that I am triple positive and the spots on my liver are fairly small and detected early, I feel very optimistic about my outcome. I’m very confident in the team at Columbia,” she stated.
The Cleveland Clinic notes that PET scans are highly effective in identifying early signs of cancer. Using a safe radioactive tracer, the scan highlights diseased cells, aiding in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Support and Awareness
Throughout her cancer journey, Thurston has been transparent, using her platform to raise awareness about breast cancer. In her Instagram caption, she acknowledged the complexity of cancer treatment, expressing her determination to fight.
“43 days since diagnosis and still no treatment? There is a lot of testing and prep that goes into cancer treatment. One important test is checking to see if the cancer has metastasized (spread). Unfortunately for me, mine has and I am now #stage4breastcancer. I’ll finally start my treatment next week. #breastcancersupport #breastcancer,” she wrote.
Thurston also engaged with her followers through her Instagram Stories, answering questions about her treatment plan. She explained that her liver treatment would mirror her breast cancer treatment, as the liver lesions resulted from the spread of breast cancer rather than being a new type of cancer.
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