Katie Thurston is brimming with optimism as she anticipates an upcoming medical appointment with her doctor. After revealing in February that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, the former Bachelorette star has been refreshingly candid about every stage of her treatment journey—including the sobering revelation in April that her cancer had advanced to stage four. Yet, with the encouraging news in July that her tumors had shrunk following treatment, the 34-year-old is approaching her next checkup with renewed hope.
“I’m doing well, all things considered,” she shared exclusively with E! News at The Pink Agenda’s 18th annual New York City Gala on October 9. “I actually have my six-month scan scheduled for Monday, and I feel incredibly optimistic about it.”
Throughout her cancer journey, Katie has discovered profound lessons, particularly the depth of her gratitude for her husband, Jeff Arcuri, whom she married in March. “You can’t face cancer alone,” she reflected. “You truly have to lean on your friends and family. And to have a partner by your side, walking with you through every step? It means everything.”
Moreover, cancer has granted Katie a new perspective on life. “I’ve come to realize that you never truly know what someone else is going through,” she shared. “I find myself more patient with strangers now. If someone is driving slowly or seems irritable, you don’t know what battles they’re fighting in their own lives. So, I feel like I’ve become more compassionate.”
Meanwhile, Katie continues to use her platform to uplift her community, participating in events like The Pink Agenda’s gala, which raised an impressive $340,000 for breast cancer research and care. And, of course, she remains closely connected to Bachelor Nation. In fact, she’s enthusiastic about The Bachelorette’s decision to cast Taylor Frankie Paul, star of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, as its next lead.
“The franchise is long overdue for a shake-up,” Katie remarked. “I’m very curious to see how they’ll handle it, given that she’s a mother and that she hopes her future husband will stay in Utah.”
She added, “I hope they choose only the best for her. Sometimes, in reality TV, it can be a bit challenging to sift through the crowd and find the truly exceptional ones.”
