The Office icon Lucy Davis has bravely revealed she has incurable cancer, and now she’s sharing the warning sign and urging others to get checked. Davis rose to fame in 2001 for her unbeatable portrayal of Dawn Tinsley in the original The Office, starring alongside Martin Freeman and co-creator Ricky Gervais. Since then, she’s gone on to star in Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Wonder Woman, and more recently, The Villains of Valley View. On Tuesday, August 11, Davis took to Instagram to open up about her health struggles, announcing that she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer around a year and a half ago. Although she initially kept the news private, the cancer has now metastasised to her bones. “Specifically to my spine, right hip, and my ribs. The cancer is incurable,” she wrote, noting that it’s “too late” for chemotherapy treatment. Davis expressed how she’s made peace with the news, saying, “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. “I always like to find the teachable moments in anything negative that happens. And cancer has not disappointed in that regard; there’s a lot I have learned from it, and I’m grateful for that.” Lucy Davis urges others to get checked out She also spoke about her own experience in discovering something was wrong, urging others to get checked out if anything is slightly amiss. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lucy Davis (@reallucydavis) Although breast cancer is typically associated with a lump on the breast, Davis wrote, “The initial lump that I felt, wasn’t a ‘lump’ as such; rather a kind of hard spot. Really tiny. I almost didn’t bother getting it checked. “So I guess I’m saying don’t ignore anything – get everything checked out.” Davis’ message mirrors the advice of the NHS, which encourages people to become familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel rather than relying solely on checking for a lump. Changes can include a lump or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit, a change in the skin such as dimpling or redness, a difference in the size or shape of one or both breasts, unusual discharge if you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding, a difference in the shape or look of the nipple, or sores and ulcers. Essentially, it’s important to know how your breasts feel throughout your cycle and at different stages of your life so you can spot any changes that are not normal for you, which is why it’s recommended to check regularly. The NHS says to look in a mirror with your arms by your sides and then raised, checking for any visible changes. Next, use the flat of your fingers to feel each breast or side of your chest in a circular motion, covering the area up to your collarbone and under each armpit using both light and firmer pressure. Finally, feel around each nipple. Many people find it easiest to do this in the shower or while lying down. Anyone who notices something unusual is advised to book an appointment with their doctor as soon as possible. This might sound scary, but as Davis herself said, it’s worth getting checked out. The NHS added, “These symptoms, including breast lumps, are very common and can be caused by other conditions. Having them does not definitely mean you have breast cancer, but it’s important to get checked by a GP. If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it’s easier to treat.” The Office star has made ‘peace’ with what comes next Credit: Netflix Davis went on to express the physical toll the cancer has had on her, writing, “As some of you will know, the pain can really be something else. Standing and walking for too long a time can be hard, and I need to use a wheelchair sometimes (so if you see me toddling around in one, feel free to give me a push!).” For her, the most vital thing is humour. “I asked my friends and family to make fun of me as much as possible (which they’re really good at), and most importantly of all to not treat me like a sick person,” she continued. “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. I’ll see my Gracie [Davis’ late dog] sooner than expected, and for me, leaving my physical body just means going home. Any and all grieving is for my family; it’s far harder for them than for me. “I’m still going to keep up all my work for animal rights. It’s so important to me. And I still would like to keep working. I’m perfectly able to do so, and acting is one of the biggest joys in my life. “For those of you on a similar journey to mine, I do wish you well. Cancer asks a lot from us, physically and mentally. And we all get to do it however we choose.” For all the latest film and TV updates and hot takes, like our Facebook page. Featured image credit: BBC/Instagram/@reallucydavis Post navigation Next storyPrevious story
