Angela Kinsey’s Sweet Gesture for Jenna Fischer During Cancer Battle
Fans, friends and colleagues recently rallied around everyone’s favorite fictional receptionist—The Office star, Jenna Fischer—when the actress revealed she had undergone a personal battle with breast cancer. Most recently, Fischer offered a touching glimpse at how her real-life best friend, former co-star and current podcast co-host Angela Kinsey supported her throughout her treatment. Keep reading to learn what Fischer has revealed about her experience and see the emotional video where she describes Kinsey’s act of solidarity.
Jenna Fischer shares details of her breast cancer diagnosis
While she just shared her story this October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fischer was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer in December of 2023. Fischer first revealed her journey on Instagram.
“After completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, I am now cancer-free,” she wrote in the caption of her post.
In a slideshow, the Emmy nominee went into further detail about her breast cancer and the many ways her family and friends stepped up for her during her health challenges. Fischer concluded the photo carousel with a picture of herself, her husband Lee Kirk, and their two children surrounded by confetti celebrating her being cancer-free as she rang a bell.
Fischer recently sat down for an interview with The Today Show host Hoda Kotb and delved more into her story.
She had gone in for a routine mammogram, Fischer revealed, and was told she had very dense breasts and that some spots on her screening were difficult to see. Excerpts then recommended she undergo a follow-up mammogram as well as a breast ultrasound.
At the time, Fischer said she wasn’t alarmed by the suggestion. If anything, she told Kotb, the disruption of going back for further testing was one of the reasons she contemplated shrugging off the mammogram in the first place. Still, she went for the ultrasound and was told she’d need a biopsy.
“When I was getting the biopsy, the mood changed,” Fischer said. “And that’s when I got nervous.”
For two days after the biopsy, she was constantly checking an online portal to see her test results. She was out on a hike when she saw words that would turn out to be life-altering words.
“I checked the portal on the hike, and that’s when I saw words like ‘invasive,’ ‘ductal,’ ‘carcinoma,’ ‘malignant,’” she said. “And I was like, ‘those words sound like cancer words.’”
Doctors continued running additional tests, and about a month later, Fischer was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. Treatment would include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. She’d also receive targeted therapies, which will continue through February 2025.
Jenna Fischer reveals the sweet gesture of her friend and colleague Angela Kinsey
Though Pam Beesly and Angela Martin often clashed on The Office, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey are best friends in real life. they even decided to work together again by teaming up to create and host their podcast Office Ladies, where they rewatch the beloved comedy, reminisce and share behind-the-scenes tidbits.
“Right away she said, ‘Whatever you need, you tell me. I’m here,’” Fischer shared of Kinsey’s reaction to the news. “And I said, ‘I want to keep working and I don’t want anyone to know at work. At work, I want that to be a space where we go and we laugh and I’m not a cancer patient. I need that.’”
So, they continued recording their show. When Fischer began losing her hair from the chemo, she started wearing hats with attached wigs—what she calls “wigats.”
“And she started wearing hats to work so I wouldn’t be the only person in a work meeting wearing a hat,” she said of Kinsey.
As Kotb put it: “That’s love.”
“It was amazing,” Fischer agreed, visibly emotional.
In her original Instagram post where she announced she was a breast cancer survivor, Fischer also shared that Kinsey’s husband had taken the smiling portrait she used for the main photo.
“I wanted a photo of myself in my patchy pixie looking happy and healthy to go along with this news,” she explained. “A big thank you to Angela Kinsey’s husband Josh Snyder for taking this photo. It’s just one example of the care they showed me during this journey.”
What else did Jenna Fischer share about beating breast cancer?
Fischer has often praised her husband for supporting her fight with breast cancer as well, expressing her appreciation for his partnership. She wrote on her Instagram that Lee was by her side through every part of the process. She also told Kotb there were mornings when she was limited in terms of what she could do around the house, so she would just come downstairs to have a cup of coffee sitting at the table while Lee “did all the rest.”
She also shared that she feels compelled to share her story and remind other women living with breast cancer that they’re not alone.
“You’re gonna get your life back,” she said of her message to those women. “You’re not even gonna believe all the beauty and wonder that is ahead of you through this journey.”
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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.