Katie Thurston, former Bachelorette lead and Bachelor contestant, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The 34-year-old reality star shared the news in a heartfelt Instagram update on Saturday, Feb. 15, expressing gratitude for her fiancé, comedian Jeff Arcuri, and affirming her determination to fight the disease.
In the emotional post, Thurston included two photos of herself smiling, along with a lengthy caption detailing her diagnosis and outlook.
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“Life update: I have breast cancer. Yesterday I saw all the couples post their Valentines Day celebrations. I felt envious if I’m being honest. Jeff 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. 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.”
“I experienced a range of emotions over the past two weeks. 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.”
“But one thing I did early on was search other stories like mine. Other young women with breast cancer. 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.”
“And I saved the best for last. 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. 🤍”
Katie Thurston is a reality TV personality best known for her appearances on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. Born on January 3, 1991, in Lynnwood, Washington, she gained national attention as a contestant on season 25 of The Bachelor in 2021, where she stood out for her confidence, humor, and sex-positivity advocacy. Her bold personality and outspokenness made her a fan favorite, leading to her selection as the lead for The Bachelorette season 17 later that year.
During her time on The Bachelorette, Katie’s season was marked by emotional highs and dramatic moments. She ultimately got engaged to Blake Moynes, but the relationship ended a few months later. She later dated fellow Bachelorette alum John Hersey, though they also split in 2022. In 2023, she began dating comedian Jeff Arcuri, to whom she is now engaged.
Beyond reality TV, Katie has built a social media following, using her platform to discuss relationships, mental health, and personal growth. Despite her challenges, Katie remains an advocate for authenticity and resilience, inspiring her followers with her candidness and strength.
