Bachelorette alum Katie Thurston revealed in February 2025 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer at just 34 years old. She opened up about what spurred her to get checked out by a doctor and what the next steps entail.
How Was Katie Thurston’s Breast Cancer Discovered?
Katie revealed her breast cancer diagnosis on February 15, 2025, via her Instagram Stories. The reality star shared that she had previously discovered a cyst in her breast that ended up being benign. When she found another lump, she assumed it was a similar situation.
“I had a small lump in my breast around the 10 o’clock spot,” Katie wrote. “I discovered it myself. Thought maybe it was my period [or] maybe it was muscle soreness from working out. But, eventually, this lump never went away.”
The former Bachelorette star continued, “[I] thought maybe it was [a benign cyst] again. Went to the doc thinking it was going to be nothing. I was wrong.”
Katie added that this time the lump was “painful,” which she said led to more “doubt and delay” on getting it checked out because “most websites” said that “breast cancer doesn’t hurt.”
“I thought it was PMS or working out … My first lump (benign cyst) felt like a pea or marble [and] hard, unnatural, but didn’t cause me discomfort. The second felt larger,” Katie explained. “The pain initially came and went, but maybe after 3-4 months of it not going away or improving, I got nervous and saw my doctor.”
Katie’s physician ordered a breast ultrasound and a mammogram.
“Lol at this selfie I took before knowing my life was going to change. I went in for a breast ultrasound. Afterwards [they] sent me to get my first mammogram. And then I had to get multiple biopsies taken and sent off for testing to confirm,” Katie wrote alongside a photo of herself in a hospital gown.
What Is the Stage of Katie Thurston’s Breast Cancer?
Because Katie only recently learned of her breast cancer diagnosis, she doesn’t know what stage the illness is in. Plus, she added that she’s still waiting on another biopsy of a separate lymph node.
“Waiting on learning what stage. Getting another biopsy on my lymph node, which will tell me more,” Katie wrote in another slide. “I once did a 23andMe [DNA test] and was informed I did not have the BRCA gene. I’ll be doing updated testing soon to know for sure. My family doesn’t have a history of breast cancer.”
Katie Thurston Plans to Undergo Chemotherapy and Have a Mastectomy
Even though Katie doesn’t know the specifics of what stage her breast cancer is in, she announced that she would be receiving chemotherapy, as well as having a mastectomy. She’s also taking steps to freeze her eggs in order for her and fiancé Jeff Arcuri to have children in the future.
“Not sure on the order yet. My fertility will be impacted by chemo. I have an appointment with my fertility doctor to preserve my eggs [first],” Katie explained.
