Jenna Fischer opens up on hair loss and chemotherapy, recalls moment she learned about cancer diagnosis

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Jenna Fischer opened up on her breast cancer battle and the impact it has had on her life, a week after she revealed her diagnosis.

The 50-year-old actress who was diagnosed with Stage 1 triple-positive breast cancer in December 2023 is now cancer-free, according to Today.

Jenna Fisher's breast cancer diagnosis

In a candid interview with TODAY’s Hoda Kotb, which aired on Monday, October 21, Fischer reflected on her journey and expressed hope that her story will provide comfort to others facing similar diagnoses.

Her diagnosis came after a routine mammogram in October 2023. While the results seemed fine initially, doctors recommended follow-up testing due to her dense breast tissue.

“I was like, ‘This is the appointment that won’t end,’” Fischer said, laughing as she described her unexpected return for a breast ultrasound and biopsy.

Although her doctors initially reassured her that there was only a “10% chance it’s cancerous,” Fischer’s life changed during a solo hike when she received the biopsy results through her patient portal.

Seeing words like “invasive,” “ductal,” and “malignant” left her in disbelief and she later called her husband, Lee Kirk, to share the news, which her doctor soon confirmed.

Jenna Fischer's chemotherapy and hair loss

Jenna Fischer described her initial shock when her oncologist recommended chemotherapy.

“That was when I really lost it,” she admitted, emphasizing that the thought of undergoing chemotherapy made her diagnosis feel real.

One of the side effects Fischer was most concerned about was losing her hair.

She humorously recalled trying to manage the changes by creating an “elaborate comb-over” to hide a bald patch.

"I was like, ‘Oh, I understand why the gentlemen do this now,’” she said, laughing.

Despite considering shaving her head, Fischer opted for hats and wigs instead.

Christina Applegate and family's support for Jenna Jenna Fischer

Jenna Fischer revealed that one of the first people she called after receiving her diagnosis was fellow actor Christina Applegate who has also battled breast cancer.

“She’s salty... I love her for it,” said Fischer, recalling how Applegate immediately understood the situation.

Applegate connected Fischer with other survivors, and they supported each other throughout the journey.

When it came to her children, Fischer and her husband were open and honest as the actress explained to her 13-year-old son, Weston Lee, and 10-year-old daughter, Harper Marie, that any sickness they saw was a result of treatment, not cancer itself.

"They were going to be living in the house while I went through this. They’re going to see it," said Fischer.

"And the biggest thing that I wanted them to know was that any ways that I seemed sick during this process were side effects of treatments. They weren’t cancer making me sick," she added.

This distinction, Fischer said, put her children at ease, allowing them to face the challenge together as a family.