Jenna Fischer reveals close pal Christina Applegate’s ‘salty’ reaction to her breast cancer diagnosis

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In a candid interview on the 'Today' show, 'The Office' star Jenna Fischer opened up about her emotional journey following a breast cancer diagnosis and how she leaned on her close friend, Christina Applegate, for support.

Fischer, 50, revealed how Applegate was one of the first people she reached out to after receiving the news, as per Daily Mail. 

Jenna Fischer reveals Christina Applegate 'effing knew' about her breast cancer diagnosis

Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate have maintained a long-standing friendship, and Applegate's own battle with multiple sclerosis seems to have equipped her to offer the kind of support Fischer needed—albeit with her signature “salty” touch.

Recalling their conversation, Fischer shared, "I called her, and she answered the phone, and she said, 'Which one is it?' And I said, 'It's breast cancer.' And she said, 'I effing knew it.'"

Applegate's unfiltered response was exactly what Fischer needed at the time. "She's salty. Salty language, that one. I love her for it," Fischer added with affection.

The strength Fischer drew from her friend didn’t stop at humor.

Applegate helped connect Fischer with a network of breast cancer survivors, giving her practical resources and emotional support during one of the most difficult periods of her life.

Fischer's diagnosis came as a shock, especially after a routine mammogram in October 2023 showed no immediate cause for concern.

"Three weeks later, they said, 'Oh, your mammogram was fine. There were a few spots that were difficult to see.'"

She went on to explain that given her dense breast tissue, doctors recommended a follow-up mammogram and breast ultrasound.

Jenna Fischer recalls moment she found out about her cancer diagnosis

At that point, Jenna Fischer had little to no concern. However, a biopsy soon followed, and doctors informed her there was a 10% chance the findings could be cancerous.

"I checked the portal on the hike, and that's when I saw words like invasive, ductal, carcinoma, malignant," Fischer said, recalling the chilling moment. "I was like, 'Those words sound like cancer words'."

Even as the reality began to set in, Fischer was in a state of disbelief. She immediately called her husband, Lee Kirk, unsure if the diagnosis was indeed cancer.

It wasn’t until she and Kirk sat down with their two children, Weston Lee, 13, and Harper Marie, 10, that the gravity of the situation became undeniable.

The couple was honest with their children about the diagnosis, holding an open conversation about the journey that lay ahead.

Fischer’s treatment included chemotherapy, a lumpectomy, and radiation, all of which played a vital role in her recovery.

Now cancer-free, she reflects on the experience with gratitude for the little things in life. "I’m more grateful for the annoying things like traffic," she admitted, highlighting how the ordeal shifted her perspective.

Jenna Fischer urges women to prioritize mammograms

What ultimately saved Jenna Fischer was the timing of her diagnosis.

She emphasized the importance of early detection: "If I had waited six more months, it could have been much worse. It could have spread."

She credits her routine mammogram for catching the aggressive form of cancer early, urging other women to make their appointments.

"I'm really lucky that my cancer had not spread into my lymph nodes. It hadn't spread anywhere else in my body," she noted.

Her tumor was too small to detect via a self-exam, underscoring the critical role routine screenings played in her case.

Recently, Fischer took to social media to share her journey with her followers, posting a photo of herself with shorter hair following chemotherapy.

In the post, she emphasized the importance of breast cancer awareness, writing, "October is breast cancer awareness month. I never thought I’d be making an announcement like this but here we are.."

"Last December, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer. After completing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, I am now cancer-free."

As Fischer continues her recovery and embraces life post-cancer, she reflects on her career and her role as Pam Beesly on 'The Office', which spanned from 2005 to 2013.

The show, which featured her character's love story with Jim Alpert, played by John Krasinski, garnered her a massive fanbase.

Yet, in this chapter of her life, it's clear that her most significant role is that of a survivor—one who wants to inspire others to prioritize their health and stay vigilant about cancer screenings.