Ricky Gervais' partner - author and TV producer Jane Fallon - reveals breast cancer diagnosis
The long-term partner of comedian Rick Gervais - author Jane Fallon - reveals cancer diagnosis, saying, “it’s been a lot”.
Best-selling author and TV producer Jane Fallon has revealed a breast cancer diagnosis - which was identified in a pre-Christmas mammogram. The 65-year-old, who is the long-time partner of comedian and actor Ricky Gervais, said the illness had been caught at a "very early stage" and that the "prognosis is excellent".
“About a month ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer – very early stage thankfully & the prognosis is excellent. 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 I’ve had more mammograms, more biopsies and an MRI so they can pinpoint the problem area precisely.”
The writer reassured her 35.4k followers that she is getting “incredible care” and is ready to get the treatment “over with”. She continued: “It’s been a lot, I’m not going to lie. But, my surgery is scheduled for the week after next and I just want to get it over with now. I’m getting incredible care and all will be fine but I’m not engaging with much beyond audiobooks & jigsaws.”
The carousel of images included a photograph of Fallon followed by a teddy bear called Dr Eric and another photo of her cat “Nurse Pickle” wearing a digital nurse outfit.
Fallon has written 14 books including Got You Back, Queen Bee and her latest novel Welcome to the Neighbourhood. Her debut novel, Getting Rid of Matthew, is being adapted for film and stars Wild Child actress Emma Roberts, Legally Blonde’s Luke Wilson and The Hangover’s Heather Graham.
Fallon and Gervais met at University College London (UCL) in the early 80s, with the Office star regularly making fun of his partner with social media posts depicting her as a loner.
According to the NHS, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK and can sometimes spread to other parts of the body if not treated, known as secondary breast cancer.
Symptoms include a lump, swelling in the breast, chest or armpit, change in the skin of the breast, and change in size or shape of one or both breasts. Mammograms can help detect breast cancer that is too small to feel or see, with treatment more likely to be successful if caught early.