Bachelorette Star Katie Thurston Was Diagnosed With Breast Cancer: Here’s What We Know
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Katie Thurston has been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 34.
The former Bachelorette made her mark on Bachelor Nation by being unapologetically herself, showing up to Matt James’s season of The Bachelor with a purple vibrator in hand. During her own turn as the leading lady of the franchise, she took a candid approach to the topic of sex, openly discussing consent and her own experience with sexual assault.
It should come as no surprise that Thurston is taking the same honest, unvarnished approach to her cancer diagnosis, which she revealed on Instagram on February 15. “Life update: I have breast cancer,” she began her post, opening up about the “range of emotions” she felt on Valentine’s Day.
“Yesterday I saw all the couples post their Valentine’s Day celebrations. I felt envious if I’m being honest,” she wrote, explaining that she and fiancé Jeff Arcuri had planned to “travel the world” before settling down in New York City. “Instead, my Vday was spent coordinating a place to live as I have to go back to LA for more testing and treatment. I used my morning to figure out insurance for NYC and laws on preexisting conditions. I scheduled appointments for another biopsy, fertility, mental health, surgery, as well as meeting with my team to discuss the overall treatment plan, which will include chemo.”
Though Thurston is still processing her diagnosis, she plans to share her journey with her followers. “One thing I did early on was search other stories like mine. Other young women with breast cancer,” she wrote. “Invasive ductal carcinoma. Mastectomy. Pregnancy after breast cancer. All of their stories helped. So I intend to be the same for others. This is day one of sharing and is going to be a long one. This first step of acceptance of my reality was the hardest. But I am ready to fight this.”
Here’s what we know about Katie Thurston’s cancer diagnosis—and how Bachelor Nation is showing their support.
What type of breast cancer does Katie Thurston have?
Based on her post, it seems Thurston has been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), which the Cleveland Clinic describes as the most common form of breast cancer, accounting for about 80% of all breast cancer cases for women.
According to CC, “Invasive ductal carcinoma starts in cells that line the milk ducts in your breast. It can spread from your milk duct to surrounding breast tissue. From there, the cancer can get into your bloodstream or lymphatic system and spread to other areas of your body.”
When was Thurston diagnosed?
Thurston says she’s been processing her emotions for “two weeks,” suggesting she was diagnosed in late January or early February 2025. “I experienced a range of emotions over the past two weeks,” she wrote. “Despair. Anger. Sadness. Denial. And then strength. Purposeful. Ready. I cried a lot. I tried to even make a video instead of this post and couldn’t.”
Now Thurston says she’s “ready to fight this,” thanking her future husband for his support. “To my extraordinary husband to be @jarcuri—I don’t know how I’d do this without you. The selfless love that you smother me in is beyond anything I imagined I’d be blessed with. I love you to the fullest in this lifetime and the next.”
How has Bachelor Nation responded?
Of course, Thurston received a wave of support from fans and other Bachelor Nation stars, including Kaitlyn Bristowe and Becca Kufrin. Here are just some of the responses from Bachelor alums:
Bristowe replied to the post, “Katie omg I love you please can I do anything for you? I’m texting you now.”
Meanwhile Kufrin wrote, “You’ve got this, Katie, and there is a huge support system behind you when you feel like you don’t. We are manifesting all the positive thoughts and outcome for you from here on out 💕”
Bachelorette season 12 star JoJo Fletcher sent her love, writing, “I’m so so sorry, Sending you love and prayers Katie ❤️”
Demi Burnett offered to support Thurston in Los Angeles, writing, “🩷💕💗 I’m here in LA- absolutely anything you need I will do for you!!”
Ashley Iaconetti wrote, “I am so so sorry, Katie. Thinking of you and praying for you. You’re going to feel better before you know it! You are a tough chick who’s gonna kick cancer’s ass and help a lot of people along the way.”
Joey Graziadei sent love on behalf of him and fiancée Kelsey Anderson, writing, “We are here for you in LA if you need anything ♥️”
Clare Crawley also commented, “I’m so sorry Katie, you are a warrior of a woman and I’m sending you a big hug and so many prayers for your strength. ❤️ here for you always.”
Jenn Tran wrote, “Love you❤️❤️❤️ you’re one of the strongest people I know!! Sending so much love to you. ❤️”
The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise alum Jade Roper wrote, “Sending you all my love during this time, Katie. Cancer doesn’t know who they’re dealing with, you got this. ❤️❤️❤️”
Justin Glaze, who appeared in Thurston’s season of The Bachelorette, wrote, “Sending you love and prayers Katie 🫶🏽🙏🏽, ” while Andrew Spencer commented, “Katie hate this for you keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.” Fellow contestant Thomas Jacobs replied, “You’ve got this!”
Of course, support was not limited to the Bachelor Franchise. Love Is Blind alum Deepti Vempati commented, “Sending you so much love! You are a fighter ♥️.”
This post may be updated.
Originally Appeared on Glamour
