Katie Thurston Undergoes Medically Induced Menopause In Battle With Stage Four Cancer

Katie Thurston, who rose to prominence for being the bold and empowering lead on Season 17 of "The Bachelorette," is getting candid about one of the most intimate and difficult aspects of her ongoing battle with stage four breast cancer, going through medically induced menopause.

Sharing a tearful and candid update on what her treatments have done to her physically via Instagram Stories on May 6, 34-year-old Katie told fans, 'I slept like s--t because I'm now in medically induced menopause, which means I get hot flashes," she said. "My medicine makes me so dehydrated. My lips have been chapped for what feels like two weeks straight." Katie's cancer journey started 3 months ago when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Her cancer is now stage four, and her medical team has resorted to aggressive treatments, including hormone therapy, which has taken an enormous toll on her body and mental well-being.

Related Coverage Medically induced menopause is a typical side effect of the hormone treatments used in cancer care, particularly in breast cancer patients whose tumors are hormone-receptor-positive. These treatments stop the production of estrogen, effectively putting the body in a menopausal condition to slow the growth of cancer. The symptoms have been another wrinkle in what has already been a gruel of a process for Katie. She detailed the mental and physical exhaustion of trying to keep up with her body's new needs, particularly hydration. "It's this game of catch up and trying to make sure I get enough water, which I was already bad at before medication. Now, it's like a true task every day to force myself to consume water," she confessed.

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Katie is incredibly down-to-earth and self-aware despite being challenged and confused. During an appearance on Emmanuel Acho's Uncomfortable Conversations podcast, she explained how cancer has altered her view on time," she said. "How how long do people take this medication for? How long until my next scan to see what's happening?" "Every day is a gift, but there's something so heavy about a diagnosis that makes you feel like you're constantly looking over your shoulder. I just want to feel mentally at peace to be able to live." Her candidness not only illuminates the harsh realities of life with cancer but also that the mental cost is just as stark as the physical.

Katie did not make the journey alone. She married a comedian named Jeff Arcuri earlier this year, and they have taken on their current huge battle, like everything else, as a united front. Before beginning those treatments, the couple made the hard but hopeful choice to freeze embryos, a grueling emotional and physical procedure that symbolizes their commitment to investing in their future even as it still seems uncertain. Doing I.V.F. during cancer treatment is no walk in the park. The hormonal fluctuations, emotional stress, and quick decisions pile on at the moment the patient is already thrown off. But Katie has been an open, courageous person through it all, and that has struck a chord with fans and followers alike.

By deciding to share her journey so openly, Katie Thurston is not only recording her personal fight but also giving a voice to thousands of women who face medically induced menopause and fertility issues during their cancer treatment. Her openness, strength, and realness make her a powerhouse even more potent than just as a force in entertainment but also now in the greater talk about cancer awareness and women's health. As she navigates this phase of her life, Katie is a model of resilience. She reminds us that bravery is often the simple act of showing up every day, even when the path is uncertain.