Lucy Davis, known for her role as Dawn Tinsley in the BBC version of The Office (2001-2003), has revealed that she is living with incurable Stage 4 breast cancer. The English actress is also recognized for her roles as Hilda Spellman in Netflix’s The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018-2020), Dianne in the cult classic film Shaun of the Dead (2004), and Etta Candy in Wonder Woman (2017).
The 53-year-old shared a lengthy statement and video on Instagram, where she told followers she had “kept her diagnosis to herself for a while”.
“A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer, which has metastasized to my bones. Specifically to my spine, right hip, and my ribs. The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo,” she penned in a caption.
Stage 4, or metastatic, breast cancer occurs when cancer cells that begin in the breast spread to distant organs or bones. The bones are the most common site where breast cancer spreads, occurring in the majority of patients with metastatic disease. While Stage 4 breast cancer is not curable, it is usually treatable, and current advances in medical technology mean that more patients are managing the disease as a chronic condition with a focus on quality of life.
She also encouraged others to get any unusual changes checked as soon as possible.
“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 said she is trying to focus on making the most of the time ahead and on what the experience has taught her.
“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,” she added.
Elsewhere in the statement, Davis said “the pain can really be something else,” and told followers that she “needs to use a wheelchair” at times.
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