close
close

Jenna Fischer on not having a “big head-shaving moment” despite being diagnosed with breast cancer and support from Christina Applegate and Angela Kinsey

Jenna Fischer on not having a “big head-shaving moment” despite being diagnosed with breast cancer and support from Christina Applegate and Angela Kinsey

Jenna Fischer recently opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis and is now reflecting on her journey.

In a new interview, Fischer opened up about her support system during this challenging time and how there wasn't a “big head-shaving moment.”

“When they told me I had to do chemotherapy, the first thing I thought was, 'I don't want to throw up and I don't want to lose my hair'” The office alum told Hoda Kotb in an interview for Today show. “I didn’t throw up, but I lost my hair.”

She continued, “And that’s all us ladies talk about. How much I've googled hair and pictures of hair and asked, “What will it look like?” It's funny. The way I lost it, it doesn't come out evenly. It comes out in fits and starts. And so at first I had a big bald spot on that side of my head. And I would like a really elaborate comb attachment.”

Fischer noted that she “never had a big moment shaving her head,” adding, “I always had a few hairs in the back of my head. And since I was trying to stay hidden, those little flyaway hairs kind of helped with the illusion of hair. I looked a bit like Friar Tuck, nothing on top and then just a bit of something over here.”

The actress said Christina Applegate was one of the first people she called after her diagnosis.

“I called her and she answered the phone and said, 'Which one is this?' And I said, 'It's breast cancer.' And she said, 'I fucking knew it,'” Fischer said. “She’s salty. This is salty language. I love her for that.”

Fischer also noted what great support she has Office ladies Podcast co-host Angela Kinsey was.

“From the beginning she said, 'Whatever you need, tell me, I'm here,' and I said, 'I want to keep working and I don't want anyone at work to know.' At work I want it to be a space where we go and laugh, and I'm not a cancer patient. I need that.' And she said, 'Okay,'” Fischer said.

Fischer announced her breast cancer diagnosis in an Instagram post on October 8, revealing that she is now cancer-free after undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “I never thought I would make an announcement like this, but here we are,” Fischer shared in a post on Instagram. “Last December I was diagnosed with stage 1 triple positive breast cancer. After completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, I am now cancer free.”

Later in the post, Fischer said, “I'm happy to say I recently had a re-evaluation and the treatments worked. I am cancer free. I will continue to receive treatment and monitoring to ensure it stays that way.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *