Bachelorette’s Katie Thurston Gives Update on Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Former Bachelorette star Katie Thurston has offered fans an update on her breast cancer diagnosis.

Taking to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, February 18, Thurston, 34, thanked followers for their support while providing further insight into her life since announcing she was battling the disease on Saturday, February 15.

“Headed back to LA temporarily while also looking for a spot in NYC,” Thurston began in a post that featured white text against a black background. “Ideally near Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center but flexible. In the meantime, important appointments this week and will definitely keep you updated.”

Thurston, who rose to fame on Matt James’ season of The Bachelor in 2020 before she became the Bachelorette in 2021, is currently in the process of relocating from California to New York to live with her fiancé, comedian Jeff Arcuri. (Arcuri, 36, proposed in 2024 after the pair dated for several months.)

The reality TV personality also detailed her gratitude in Tuesday’s social media post. “Thank you all for your love and support. Going public with my battle was more helpful than I ever anticipated. Thankful for the army standing behind me,” she concluded.

Thurston’s health announcement came as a shock to fans, who had followed her love life since the former bank marketing manager broke off her engagement to Blake Moynes soon after the finale of her Bachelorette season.

“Life update: I have breast cancer,” Thurston wrote to inform fans of her diagnosis. “Yesterday I saw all the couples post their Valentine’s Day celebrations. I felt envious if I’m being honest. Jeff took me to Hawaii and after, we were going to travel the world before planting roots together in NYC finally. But instead, my Vday was spent coordinating a place to live as I have to go back to LA for more testing and treatment.”

She added, “I used my morning to figure out insurance for NYC and laws on preexisting conditions. I scheduled appointments for another biopsy, fertility, mental health, surgery, as well as meeting with my team to discuss the overall treatment plan, which will include chemo.”

A close friend of Thurston’s, Jess Ambrose, said on the Monday, February 17, episode of the “Your Mom & Dad” podcast, hosted by Jess and husband Evan Ambrose, that Thurston will beat the disease, labeling her “simultaneously the kindest and strongest person I know.”

“And when I say kind, I’m talking about the type of kind where, you know, after barely knowing you for a little bit, she hears you once mentioned that you and your family love going to the beach together, and so then the next time she comes and visits, she’s bought beach chairs and towels and says, ‘I thought you would enjoy these,’” Jess said during the episode.