Lucy Davis, best known for playing Dawn Tinsley in the original British version of The Office, revealed Tuesday that she has been diagnosed with incurable Stage 4 breast cancer.
In an Instagram post, the 53-year-old actress said she had kept the diagnosis private for some time before deciding to share it publicly.
“Hi friends:) I wanted to share something with you all that I’ve kept to myself for a while but for various reasons would like to share now,” she wrote.
“A 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.”
Davis said the first warning sign was so subtle that she nearly ignored it.
“The initial lump that I felt, wasn’t a ‘lump’ as such; rather a kind of hard spot. Really tiny. I almost didn’t bother getting it checked. So I guess I’m saying don’t ignore anything - get everything checked out:)”
She said she is now focused on making the most of whatever time she has left.
“As of now, I’m trying to live out whatever might be left of my life in as fun a way as I possibly can,” Davis wrote.
“I always like to find the teachable moments in anything negative that happens. And cancer has not disappointed in that regard; there’s a lot I have learned from it, and I’m grateful for that.”
Davis also spoke candidly about the physical toll of the disease.
“As some of you will know, the pain can really be something else. Standing and walking for too long a time can be hard, and I need to use a wheelchair sometimes,” she wrote, adding jokingly, “so if you see me toddling around in one, feel free to give me a push!”
She said humor has been one of the most important ways she has coped.
“The thing that has been most vital to me is humour,” she wrote. “I asked my friends and family to make fun of me as much as possible (which they’re really good at), and most importantly of all to not treat me like a sick person. There’s nothing that will make you feel more unwell than being treated as if you’re unwell.”
Davis also said she is not afraid of death.
“I’m not scared of whatever comes next. I’m at peace with it. I’ll see my Gracie sooner than expected, and for me, leaving my physical body just means going home.”
“Any and all grieving is for my family; it’s far harder for them than for me.”
Despite the diagnosis, Davis said she intends to continue both her advocacy and her career.
Lucy Davis in The Office
(Photo: BBC)
“I’m still going to keep up all my work for animal rights. It’s so important to me And I still would like to keep working. I’m perfectly able to do so, and acting is one of the biggest joys in my life.”
She ended the post with a message to others facing cancer.
“For those of you on a similar journey to mine, I do wish you well. Cancer asks a lot from us, physically and mentally. And we all get to do it however we choose.”
Davis, the daughter of British comedian Jasper Carrott, rose to prominence as receptionist Dawn Tinsley in the original BBC version of The Office, which aired from 2001 to 2003. Her character was the love interest of Tim Canterbury, played by Martin Freeman.
She later appeared as Dianne in Shaun of the Dead, Etta Candy in Wonder Woman and Hilda Spellman in Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. In recent years, she also played Eva in The Villains of Valley View.