Best-selling author Jane Fallon has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine screening picked up something she had not noticed herself.
The 65-year-old writer, who has been with comedian Ricky Gervais for more than four decades, shared the personal update on Instagram after fans began noticing she had gone quiet online.
Jane explained that the cancer was caught at a very early stage and said doctors are optimistic about her recovery. She wrote: “About a month ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer – very early stage thankfully & the prognosis is excellent.”
She went on to reveal that everything began with a routine mammogram shortly before Christmas. Despite having no warning signs at all, the appointment led to further investigations after a radiographer spotted something unusual. Jane said: “I had a routine mammogram a week before Christmas. I had no symptoms but the brilliant radiographer spotted something iffy & sent me for further tests & eventually a biopsy.”
Since then, she has undergone a series of mammograms, biopsies and an MRI scan so doctors can identify the exact area that needs treatment. Opening up about the emotional strain of the experience, she admitted: “It’s been a lot, I’m not going to lie.”
Jane also confirmed that surgery is scheduled for the week after next, adding that she is now desperate to put the ordeal behind her. She said she is receiving “incredible care” and remains positive about the outcome, but has been taking a step back from daily life while she processes everything.
Giving fans a glimpse of her current reality, she added some trademark humour to the difficult update, saying: “I’m getting incredible care and all will be fine but I’m not engaging with much beyond audiobooks & jigsaws tbh. Dr Eric on duty. Nurse Pickle wondering when lunch is.”
Her followers quickly flooded the comments with messages of love and support, with many pointing out how lucky it was that the cancer had been discovered early. Several praised the importance of routine mammograms, especially in cases where there are no symptoms at all.
Jane, whose career began in television before she found literary success with her 2007 novel Getting Rid of Matthew, has gone on to publish 14 books. She is also known for her long and famously unconventional relationship with Ricky Gervais, whom she met in 1982 while they were both students at University College London.
Earlier this year, Jane also spoke candidly about never having children, insisting she has no regrets. She admitted she was never someone who dreamed of weddings or traditional family life, and said anxiety would likely have made motherhood difficult for her.
She and Ricky have also long been open about their decision not to marry. In one of his most quoted remarks, Ricky previously said: “We are married for all intents and purposes, everything’s shared and actually our fake marriage has lasted longer than a real one.”
Now, fans are rallying around Jane as she faces surgery — with many hoping her early diagnosis and positive prognosis will lead to a full recovery.
