The reality star was told there "isn’t enough data" to support the benefits of a GLP-1 after breast cancer
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NEED TO KNOW
- Katie Thurston is exploring GLP-1 medications as a potential option for her mother’s post-breast cancer care
- Thurston said her mother was denied GLP-1 treatment by her oncologist due to insufficient data on its benefits
- Thurston’s mother is now cancer-free after early detection and completing 21 rounds of radiation therapy
Katie Thurston is looking into GLP-1 medications as an option for post-breast cancer care.
On Friday, June 26, the Bachelorette alum posted on her Boobie Broadcast channel, where she's been sharing regular updates since being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, which has metastasized to her liver.
The 35-year-old took a break from giving updates on her health to discuss her mother, who was recently declared cancer-free after her own breast cancer journey.
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Thurston said that her mother thought taking a GLP-1 could be beneficial after her breast cancer treatment, but it wasn't an available option.
“Questions about GLP-1s,” she wrote. “If you're part of the breast cancer community, you've maybe heard some of the health benefits when it comes to cancer survivors. In fact, I know plenty of people actively incorporating that into their health plan. However, when my mom inquired for herself, her oncologist denied her request since there ‘isn't enough data.' I was shocked.”
Thurston then questioned whether this is something that doctors should be prescribing as “post-cancer care” or if her mother will need to pay out-of-pocket to get it.
“I know my mom will benefit but I'm in uncharted waters here,” she added, asking her followers for feedback.
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GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic and Wegovy, may possibly slow down the spread of certain obesity-related cancers — like lung, breast, colorectal and liver cancers — according to a report published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Post in May.
However, experts have noted that they have been studying additional effects of the medication, and the “early evidence” only suggests that future studies are worth pursuing. Additionally, long-term effects are unknown.
In January, Thurston first revealed that her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer nearly one year after her own diagnosis. The reality star said that she pushed for her mother to get additional scans after her mammogram in December 2025 came back "negative" and "probably benign," and she was told to return in a year.
After Thurston's mom had an ultrasound, she said doctors found "suspicious masses" and ultimately ended up performing a breast MRI and biopsies. Two weeks later, her mother was diagnosed with cancer.
"I hate that we have to be our biggest advocate but also, it's what will save your life," Thurston said.
Earlier this month, the Bachelor Nation star revealed that her mother is now cancer-free because they caught her disease early enough.
"I pushed and pushed my mom to get an MRI after learning she had dense breasts and was entitled to one," she wrote on her Instagram Stories on June 11. "We were able to find her cancer at stage one. She had a lumpectomy and today was her last day of radiation!! 21 rounds and this tough mama got to ring the bell!"
Thurston added, "So proud of my mom 💕."
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