Actor Lucy Davis, best known for portraying Dawn Tinsley in the original U.K. \u201cThe Office\u201d series, has announced she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer, and that the disease is \u201cincurable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Davis, 53, shared the health news in an Instagram<\/a> post Aug. 11 The post included a video of the actor ringing a bell seemingly in the cancer ward of a hospital. In the clip, she read a note that said, \u201cRing this bell three times well. It\u2019s a toll to clearly say, \u2018My treatments are done, the course has run and I am on my way.\u2019\u201d She then rang the bell once and smiled as she received applause.<\/p>\n But her message had a more somber tone, as the \u201cChilling Adventures of Sabrina\u201d star revealed her cancer has spread to her bones. <\/p>\n \u201cHi friends:) I wanted to share something with you all that I\u2019ve kept to myself for a while but for various reasons would like to share now,\u201d she began in the post. \u201cA 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.\u201d<\/p>\n She recalled initially feeling a hard spot in her chest that was so tiny she almost didn\u2019t get it examined. <\/p>\n \u201cSo I guess I\u2019m saying don\u2019t ignore anything \u2014 get everything checked out,\u201d she wrote and added a smiley face. <\/p>\n \u201cAs of now, I\u2019m 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\u2019s a lot I have learned from it, and I\u2019m grateful for that,\u201d she continued. <\/p>\n Although she has a feeling of gratitude, Davis has also been experiencing intense pain. She said that at times she struggles to stand or walk and has had to use a wheelchair. <\/p>\n \u201cSo if you see me toddling around in one, feel free to give me a push!\u201d she playfully said. <\/p>\n Through this dark time in her life, Davis said humor has played an important role and given her some sense of normalcy. <\/p>\n \u201cI asked my friends and family to make fun of me as much as possible (which they\u2019re really good at), and most importantly of all to not treat me like a sick person,\u201d she shared. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing that will make you feel more unwell than being treated as if you\u2019re unwell.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite her incurable diagnosis, Davis said she is not fearful and is \u201cat peace\u201d with the situation. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll see my Gracie sooner than expected, and for me, leaving my physical body just means going home,\u201d she said, referring to her dog who died two years ago<\/a>. \u201cAny and all grieving is for my family; it\u2019s far harder for them than for me.\u201d<\/p>\n She added that she\u2019s not slowing down when it comes to her animal rights activism. She also hopes to keep booking roles.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m perfectly able to do so, and acting is one of the biggest joys in my life,\u201d Davis wrote. <\/p>\n At the end of her post, she sent well wishes to all cancer patients and told her fans how much she loves them. <\/p>\n Fans and former co-stars, like Ricky Gervais and Kiernan Shipka, left supportive messages in the comments. <\/p>\n \u201cThe Office\u201d star Jenna Fischer, who revealed in 2024 that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and is now cancer free<\/a>, wrote kind words to her fellow sitcom receptionist. <\/p>\n \u201cBeautiful post. Love you lots,\u201d Fischer said. \u201cAnd yes to working with cancer! Let\u2019s spread that message far and wide! How working is such a comfort!\u201d<\/p>\n