The Bachelorette's Katie Thurston Shares Intimate Details About Her Cancer Scare

"Bachelorette" Katie Thurston is definitely an open book. Case in point: She has spoken out about surviving sexual assault (via Fox News). "It's taken me a long time to get to where I am now in being open and comfortable talking about it and loving myself and accepting things that I can no longer control," she stated about the life-changing event.

In another honest reveal, the reality star took to her Instagram Story to talk about a previous breast cancer scare. Thurston shared about a scar on her chest, "It's from a lumpectomy after finding a lump in my breast. Because I was only 20, I discovered this on my own. Typically women don't get routine mammograms until their 40s, so it's important to be your biggest advocate when it comes to your personal health" (via People).

Indeed, according to the Mayo Clinic, a woman should begin getting annual mammograms at age 40. BreastCancer.org recommends this screening guideline as well.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Meanwhile, in her personal post, "The Bachelorette" did more than recount her own experience with having had a lumpectomy. She also shared information about the L4 Project, an organization that helps individuals and families who are battling cancer, and which one of Thurston's final four men, Michael Allio, launched in 2019 after his wife, Laura, died of breast cancer. Sadly, she was just 33, and left behind the couple's son, James, according to The Sun.

Of course, fans were heartbroken when Allio shared his backstory with Thurston, as well as when he decided to leave "The Bachelorette" to be with his 4-year-old. "It was obviously a really difficult decision. But as a parent, it was black and white" he explained to People.

Thurston ultimately understood his position, but also said about Allio's decision to leave, "Michael is someone I saw myself walking away with. I knew what my life would be if I chose Michael, and that was a life I wanted" (via E! Online). She added, "I know his decision is the best decision for his family, but right now, in this moment, it f*****g hurts, and in this moment, I am mad. I am sad. All I'm looking for is to be in love and find my person, and it's very possible that my person just left."