Jessie J on Her Breast Cancer Diagnosis: ‘I Will Come Back with Massive Tits and More Music’

Jessie J is known for being candid with fans, whether it’s through her lyrics or on social media. Unsurprisingly, the 37-year-old was equally open about her private life when she revealed that she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer. 

In a reel shared on Instagram, Jessie talked directly to fans about her diagnosis. “I was diagnosed with early breast cancer. I’m highlighting the word ‘early.’ Cancer sucks in any form, but I’m holding on to the word ‘early,’” she said. 

Jessie revealed that she’s been undergoing multiple tests and debated whether to go public with her diagnosis. She said she ultimately decided to speak out because, “I’ve always shared everything that I go through in my life.”

"Knowing that the media is going to make it way bigger than it needs to be, but also knowing that I want to share it with my fans and people who care about me,” made her decide to be public with her diagnosis, she explained. 

"I just wanted to be open and share it. One, because selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I'm not processing it because I'm working so hard,” she explained. "I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support, and also their own stories."

Jessie said that it “breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much. Similar or worse.” She also revealed that she’s “getting to keep my nipples,” adding that this is a “weird topic and a weird situation."

She also suggested that she may be having a mastectomy—a common procedure for those living with breast cancer. "It's a very dramatic way to get a boob job,” she joked. 

So what exactly does "early breast cancer" mean? Here's what you need to know.

What is early breast cancer?

While Jessie didn’t use this exact terminology, early-stage breast cancer is breast cancer that hasn’t spread beyond the breast or axillary lymph nodes (the nodes located in your armpits), according to the National Cancer Institute. That includes ductal carcinoma in situ (aka stage 0), along with stage I, stage IIA, stage IIB, and stage IIIA breast cancers. The good news? Catching cancer early makes it more treatable than if you receive a diagnosis at a later stage.

How is early breast cancer treated?

Treatment is a little different for everyone, says Jason Mouabbi, MD, assistant professor in the department of breast medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “It depends on the type of cancer,” he explains.

However, treatment for early-stage breast cancer may involve surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of these, according to Amy Bremner, MD, breast surgical oncologist and medical director of breast surgical oncology at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California.

“Patients with early-stage breast cancer most often undergo primary surgery to the breast and regional nodes,” she says. But Dr. Bremner also explains that some people with early-stage breast cancer may undergo neoadjuvant therapy like chemotherapy, and then surgery after.

“In most cases, however, surgery will be recommended as an important part of the multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer treatment,” she says. 

Healthcare providers tend to recommend getting started on treatment quickly—although breast cancer is not usually considered an “emergency," per Dr. Bremner. “Ideally, patients will be scheduled for surgery between 30-90 days,” she explains. “Occasionally, assuming the preoperative workup is complete, patients can be scheduled for surgery even sooner.”

After surgery, you may also need to take medication to block or lower the production of estrogen in the body or undergo additional treatments, depending on what the surgery reveals, Dr. Mouabbi adds.

What is the prognosis like for early-stage breast cancer?

Prognosis tends to depend on the type of breast cancer and its stage. “Prognosis for early breast cancer is generally excellent, especially if lymph nodes are not involved,” Dr. Mouabbi says.

In fact, people with localized breast cancer (meaning, it hasn’t spread) typically have a greater than 99 percent five-year survival rate, according to the American Cancer Society. (FYI, a five-year survival rate is the percentage of people who are alive five years after their diagnosis.)

Jessie ended her message on this note: “I am going to disappear for a bit after Summertime Ball to have my surgery. And I will come back with massive tits and more music." And we're wishing her the best in this time of recovery.