Katie Thurston shares heartbreaking news on Valentine's Day
1. 'Bachelorette' star Katie Thurston shares emotional breast cancer update
Katie Thurston, known for her appearances on *The Bachelor* and *The Bachelorette*, has shared that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She revealed the news in an Instagram post on Saturday.
“Life update: I have breast cancer. Yesterday, I saw all the couples posting their Valentine’s Day celebrations. If I’m being honest, I felt envious,” she wrote in the caption.
“Jeff had taken me to Hawaii, and we were planning to travel the world before settling down together in NYC. But instead, my Valentine’s Day was spent figuring out where to live, as I need to return to LA for further testing and treatment.”
Thurston went on to explain that she met with her medical team to outline a chemotherapy plan and spent the holiday attending medical appointments. Since receiving the diagnosis, she admitted to experiencing a whirlwind of emotions, including denial, but found solace in connecting with other women who have faced similar challenges.
“One of the first things I did was look for stories like mine—other young women with breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma, mastectomies, and pregnancy after breast cancer. Their stories helped me, and I hope to do the same for others,” she shared.
“This is day one of sharing my journey, and it’s going to be a long one. Accepting my reality was the hardest step, but I’m ready to fight this.”
She ended her post by expressing gratitude to her fiancé, comedian Jeff Arcuri, for his unwavering support: “I don’t know how I’d do this without you.”
In a follow-up Instagram Story on Saturday, Thurston mentioned that she is “waiting to learn what stage” her cancer is at and plans to undergo another biopsy for more information. She also noted that there is no history of breast cancer in her family.
Thurston first appeared on *The Bachelor* during Matt James’ season in 2021 but was eliminated in week six. Later that year, she starred as the lead on *The Bachelorette* and accepted a proposal from Blake Moynes. However, the couple split a few months after the season finale. Last year, she became engaged to Arcuri.
