Actress Lucy Davis, known for her role as Dawn Tinsley in The Office, has announced she has been diagnosed with incurable stage four breast cancer. The 53-year-old, daughter of comedian Jasper Carrott, shared the news in a post on Tuesday, revealing the cancer has metastasised to her bones, including her spine, right hip and ribs, and that it is "too late" for chemotherapy.
Davis shares her journey and outlook
In her post, Davis said she was diagnosed a year and a half ago and is trying to live out whatever might be left of her life in as fun a way as possible. She wrote: "As of now, I'm trying to live out whatever might be left of my life in as fun a way as I possibly can." She also mentioned that she uses a wheelchair sometimes due to pain when standing or walking for too long.
Davis emphasised the role of humour in her journey, asking friends and family to poke fun at her "as much as possible" and not treat her like a "sick person". She said: "There's nothing that will make you feel more unwell than being treated as if you're unwell. I'm not scared of whatever comes next. I'm at peace with it." She also expressed her intention to continue working for animal rights and as an actress, which she described as one of the "biggest joys" of her life.
Oncologist highlights lesser-known symptoms
Following the news, an oncologist has highlighted red flag signs of breast cancer that are not a lump. Dr Jiri Kubes, Radiation Oncologist and Medical Director at the Proton Therapy Center, said that while most women know to check for lumps, some abnormalities are not noticeable by sight. He advised being aware of other symptoms, such as a change in colour or the appearance of a rash or crusting around the nipple, and changes in the shape or size of the breast or nipple, including inversion.
Research published in The Lancet Oncology projects global breast cancer cases will reach over 3.5 million by 2050. In the UK, one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every ten minutes, according to Breast Cancer Now, which also notes that more than half of UK women do not check their breasts regularly. Early diagnosis is the biggest factor for successful treatment, and Dr Kubes stressed the importance of regular self-checks and consulting a GP if any changes are noticed.
