Former “Bachelorette” Katie Thurston joined Robin Roberts on “Good Morning America” on October 16, 2025 to discuss her journey with stage four metastatic breast cancer.
Katie Thurston’s Battle With Breast Cancer
Thurston initially found a lump in her breast in November 2024. By March 2025, Thurston’s scans revealed spots on her liver, indicating the cancer had metastasized and putting her at a stage four diagnosis. She was 34 years old. Thurston has said stage four breast cancer is a lifetime diagnosis, and she’ll be on medication for the rest of her life to treat it.
In the midst of getting diagnosed, Thurston married comedian Jeff Arcuri. She froze her eggs before undergoing treatment and now is looking at a double mastectomy.
Katie Thurston’s ‘GMA’ Appearance
GettyIn honor of October being breast cancer awareness month, Thurston sat down with Roberts to discuss her diagnosis and what she hopes other people will take from her experience. Thankfully, Thurston started the conversation by announcing her medication is still working and her tumor continues to shrink, “and when you’re stage four that’s really all you can hope for.”
Because of Thurston’s young age at the time of diagnosis, she told Roberts she wants people to know that “breast cancer really can happen before you’re 40.” Since her journey started, Thurston said she’s met many women who were also diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 40.
Despite stage four breast cancer only being treatable, not curable, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Thurston remains optimistic about her future. “Medical advancements have come so far in the past 10 years,” she told Roberts. “I refuse to view this as a terminal illness or a death sentence. I really trust medicine and the future of breast health.”
Thurston not only gets support from her community of fellow breast cancer survivors, she also gets support from her husband. Arcuri is a stand-up comedian who delayed his tour when Thurston received her diagnosis. Now, he’s donating $1 of each ticket sale to a breast cancer foundation and matching the donation himself. Thurston said they’ll be donating about $80,000.
Finally, Thurston encouraged everyone watching to “be so familiar with your breasts,” so that you can alert your doctor if anything changes. “Age is nothing but a number at this point,” she said.
Thank you for sharing Katie’s incredibly brave and important story. It’s so crucial to raise awareness, especially about early detection for younger women. Her positive outlook and trust in medical advancements are truly inspiring.
Her mention of being on medication for life to manage her stage four diagnosis got me thinking about the long-term journey ahead for so many survivors. After the intense fight comes a different kind of challenge—learning to manage the lasting side effects and find a new normal.
I was reading a really helpful resource from the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade about recovery and managing persistent issues like neuropathic pain after chemo. It had some practical advice that isn’t always discussed. Here’s the link if anyone is interested: https://avonbcc.org/navigating-the-aftermath-practical-advice-for-breast-cancer-recovery
My question is for the community here: For those who have been through this or are supporting a loved one, what was the most valuable piece of practical advice you received for managing long-term side effects or the emotional toll after active treatment ended?
Also, don’t think you can’t get breast cancer after 80. I was shocked to find out I had breast cancer at 86. Rare yes, but possible. So ladies, get those mammogram’s even after age 80. I’m lucky, they got it all and all I have to do is take a pill for the next 6yrs or so.