THE BACHELORETTE star Katie Thurston has cancelled her chemotherapy just ‘minutes’ before her first session after receiving a new diagnosis in her breast cancer battle.
Katie, 34, recently revealed that her breast cancer has progressed to stage 4 after spreading to her liver.
In her latest Instagram post, she shared that her plans for the treatment were called off following a phone call from her doctor with encouraging test results.
She wrote: “Update: today I was supposed to start chemo. I had my cold cap, my cold socks, snacks, blankets, medications, entertainment ready.
“My aunt Lindsey flew in to be with me this weekend for recovery.
“However, yesterday I got the call that my pathology results on my liver, breast, and lymph nodes all came back as HER2 Negative even though my original samples as Kaiser were HER2+.
“I was minutes away from taking my steroid for chemo prep. Instead I am headed to my doctor to discuss how this happened, what testing is needed, and what this means for my new treatment plan.
“Sounds like chemo is off the table now. I should be excited about that. But in two months, I’ve continued to get an updated diagnosis three times.
“I think thoroughness and getting a second medical opinion has been instrumental in my early cancer stage journey.
“I will keep you informed with the deets in the Boobie Broadcast. #breastcancer #mbc #metastaticbreastcancer.”
Alongside her message, the reality star posted a video, where she was seen enjoying a sunset and a ladybird on her sweatshirt with her husband, Jeff Arcuri.
Just the day before, Katie had shared that her doctor had called to tell her to “hold off” on packing her chemo bag, which left her feeling confused.
Bachelorette Katie Thurston breaks down in tears and says she must ‘show up or die’ after ‘devastating’ cancer diagnosis
She told fans in a Story: “I want to feel like that’s a good thing, but the constant whiplash of test after test, doctor after doctor is just like…I don’t even know. The biggest takeaway is just always get a second opinion.”
Katie added that “this could be good news“, though she continued to express frustration over the conflicting advice she’s been receiving.
She said: “It’s a mind f**k to have ongoing conflicting information from different doctors that alters the route of your treatment and your life.”
Since revealing her initial diagnosis in February, Katie has been transparent about her cancer journey with fans.
Just last week, Katie announced her breast cancer has spread to her liver.
She said in a video: “After days of waiting, unfortunately, I did find out today that my breast cancer has spread to the liver.
“It is fairly small, however it does put me at stage four,” she revealed.
She explained how she will now be starting a “new treatment plan” that will involve chemotherapy.
Katie is due to start her new treatment plan next week.
Speaking candidly in the new video, she said: “I know stage four can sound very scary, and it can be.
Who is Katie Thurston?
Katie is American television personality, best known for her appearances on dating-reality shows in the Bachelor and Bachelorette franchise, as well as the career in comedy she has been carving out.
The 34-year-old star shot to fame on The Bachelor in 2021, but failed to find love.
She then was the leading lady of The Bachelorette that same year.
She was engaged to Blake Moynes during her season of The Bachelorette, but the couple sadly split.
Katie and Blake ended their engagement in October 2021 due to “distance”.
At the time of their split, a source told The U.S. Sun: “Katie flew up to Canada early Saturday just a few hours after the comedy show and saw Blake for the first time in a while.
“I don’t think she flew there necessarily knowing it would be a breakup trip, but she knew they’d be forced to address a lot of things that they had been putting off for a while.”
After adding that “distance was a big factor,” the insider alleged: “Blake wasn’t ready to leave Canada and Katie wasn’t ready to move there.
“She just set down new roots in San Diego and loves it there.”
They continued: “Another big thing they had issues with were their communication styles.
“Katie is much quicker to call little things out whereas Blake just lets things slide.
“Her outbursts eventually became too much for him to handle.”
“However, given that I am triple positive and the spots on my liver are fairly small and detected early, I feel very optimistic on my outcome.”
In the caption, she penned: “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.“
SUPPORTED BY HUSBAND JEFF
Comedian Jeff commented on the video and touchingly penned: “You’re the strongest woman I know. We got this.”
Meanwhile, droves of fans were quick to comment and share their love and support also.
“Stage 4 is not a death sentence. I’m thriving and living as normal as before. You got this,” penned one.
Another added: “Thanks for keeping us updated Katie!! Your strength through all of this is so inspiring. You are in my prayers daily.”
A third person then said: “I’ve been a cancer prevention advocate for years and know plenty of people who beat Stage 4. You got this, Katie.”
While a fourth added: “You’re so strong & brave! You’ve got this girl! Thank you for sharing your journey with us and continuing to pray for you.”
And a fifth penned: “Looking forward to you coming out on the other side of this.”
‘SHOW UP OR DIE’
Katie recently spoke on Good Morning America to Eva Pilgrim about her diagnosis.
She said hearing she had breast cancer was “the worst feeling I’ve ever felt.”
“You’re just devastated. It’s so shocking,” she said.
“As a 34-year-old woman, you’re just not prepared.”
“When I felt my lump, it was sore. As women, we’re used to being told, oh, it’s probably your time of the month, or it’s your time of the month. So I just brushed it off for a while.”
She then spoke about treatment, revealing, “Because of the size of the tumor, I have to do chemo first to shrink it down. Then I can have it removed.”
Katie later declared: “You don’t have a choice. You show up or you die.
“I hate to say it that way. Every day you have an appointment, every day you have to show up.”
What are the signs of breast cancer?
BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK.
The majority of women who get it are over 50, but younger women and, in rare cases, men can also get breast cancer.
If it’s treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.
Most breast lumps aren’t cancerous, but it’s always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also speak to your GP if you notice any of the following:
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- dimpling on the skin of your breasts
- a rash on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Source: NHS
KATIE’S LOVE STORY
Katie starred as the lead in season 17 of The Bachelorette in 2021.
She previously appeared on season 25 of The Bachelor but didn’t find love.
In June 2024, Katie – who has dabbled in comedy herself – revealed on social media that she was dating comedian Jeff Arcuri.
And last September, they revealed that Jeff had popped the all-important question, with the couple announcing their engagement.
The stunning star is now loved up with her husband Jeff, whom she married on March 22, 2025.
Announcing they had tied the knot on Instagram, Katie shared some sweet snaps from their big day and wrote: “We said ‘I do’ on March twenty two.”
