What To Know
- Lucy Davis, known for her roles in The Office (U.K.) and Wonder Woman, revealed she has incurable Stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to her bones.
- In her Instagram post, Davis emphasized the importance of checking any unusual symptoms and shared that she is focusing on living joyfully with support from friends and family.
In a heartbreaking post on Instagram, actress Lucy Davis, best known as Dawn Tinsley in the U.K. version of The Office, as well as Hilda Spellman in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Dianne in Shaun of the Dead, and Etta Candy in Wonder Woman, has revealed that she is terminally ill with Stage 4 breast cancer.
In the posted video, Davis could be seen ringing a bell, a signal that cancer treatment is completed. In the post, she recited, “Ring this bell, three times well, it’s the toll to clearly say my treatments are done, the course is run, and I am on my way.” Davis then added, “I might not ring it three times.”
In her post, she wrote, “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.”
“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,” wrote Davis. “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. :)”
“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. 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,” she posted. “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 (so if you see me toddling around in one, feel free to give me a push).”
Davis wrote of her friends and family, who had been a source of hope and joy for her. “The thing that has been most vital to me is humour. 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.”
BBC Ltd. / Courtesy: Everett Collection
She also stated that she is “not scared of whatever comes next” and that “all grieving is for my family; it’s far harder for them than for me.”
She ended the devastating post with well wishes for those with a similar diagnosis. “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 received a flood of well-wishes and support from friends and fans on the post. Sabrina costar Vanessa Rubio wrote, “Oh Lucy, you are such a rare gift of a human, artist, comedian. Your perspective on this alone shows that. I’ll send you a message privately. You’ve blessed us in so many ways; getting to watch you on screen and being able to work with you – however b brief it was – was a true gift. Cheers to all your wishes – you get to do this passage on your terms.”
Comedian Laraine Newman wrote, “Oh dearest Lucy. What a gift to know you.”
Breast Cancer Now offered their support with the post, writing, “We’re so sorry to hear this, Lucy. We’re sending all our love, and we’re always here if you need support or someone to talk to.”