Katie Thurston Reveals Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Former Bachelorette Katie Thurston has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is “ready to fight” the disease.

“Life update: I have breast cancer,” Thurston, 34, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, February 15. “Yesterday I saw all the couples post their Valentine’s Day celebrations. I felt envious if I’m being honest. Jeff [Arcuri] took me to Hawaii and after, we were going to travel the world before planting roots together in NYC finally. But instead, my Vday was spent coordinating a place to live as I have to go back to LA for more testing and treatment.”

She added, “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.”

Thurston is in the process of relocating from California to New York alongside her fiancé, Arcuri. (The comedian proposed in 2024 after several months of dating.)

“To my extraordinary husband-to-be @jarcuri,” she added on Saturday. “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.”

According to Thurston, she was diagnosed earlier this month.

“I experienced a range of emotions over the past two weeks. Despair. Anger. Sadness. Denial. And then strength. Purposeful. Ready. I cried a lot,” Thurston recalled. “I tried to even make a video instead of this post and couldn’t. But one thing I did early on was search other stories like mine. Other young women with breast cancer. Invasive distal carcinoma. Mastectomy. Pregnancy after breast cancer. All of their stories helped.”

She concluded, “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.”

Several of Thurston’s fellow members of Bachelor Nation shared their best wishes in the comments section.

“Sending you all my love during this time, Katie,” Jade Roper replied. “Cancer doesn’t know who they’re dealing with, you got this. ❤️❤️❤️.”

Jasmine Goode, for her part, added, “I’m so sorry Katie. Praying for you! You got this 💓.”

Justin Glaze, who appeared on Thurston’s Bachelorette season, also reacted.

“Sending you love and prayers Katie,” he wrote via Instagram comment.

Thurston rose to fame on Matt James’ season of The Bachelor that aired in 2020. She became the next Bachelorette the following season, where she briefly got engaged to Blake Moynes. After Thurston and Moynes’ split, she later dated fellow contestant John Hersey before finding love with Arcuri.