Jessie J has opened up about a difficult moment in her breast cancer journey, describing it as her “worst day so far”.
The singer, who revealed last week that she’s been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, has since received an outpouring of support from fans and fellow celebrities.
In a new Instagram post shared on Sunday, Jessie said she hit a particularly low point: “Had my worst day so far yesterday since my diagnosis and the busiest three months I’ve had in years.”
“Work. Toddler. Cancer. Life etc had my mind… Panic attacks/tears/big fears/anger/overwhelm/Bad.”
In typical Jessie fashion, the post was both raw and wry. “You know what helped?”, she said, “I ate a corn on the cob. Turns out it’s extremely hard to panic or cry while eating one. Highly recommend. [Instant] mood shift.”
See also: What are the early signs of breast cancer?
The singer, who shares regular updates with her 13.9 million followers, also took a moment to urge her fans to “acknowledge fear, anger, sadness, panic… and let it come up and come out.”
“Holding it in won’t make it go away,” she wrote in response to messages urging her to “stay positive” or “be strong”.
“That was one day in 10 weeks that I just lost it and was completely drowned in all the negative and bad feelings any cancer journey can bring. Which is healthy and needed IMO.”
Jessie emphasised the importance of honesty and emotional transparency as part of healing.
“We cannot heal what we don’t acknowledge,” she said. “I will cry. I will be scared. I will panic… and then eat a [corn on the cob] or listen to a song that lifts me up… and then go and be Mum, and go to work and show up.”
Her latest update comes after the singer revealed she underwent five breast biopsies ahead of a live performance — but chose not to cancel the show.
The British star shared a video from her set at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London in April.
She wrote in her caption: “I had 5 breast biopsies the night before this show. I was in some discomfort but so hyped to do it and I didn’t want to cancel.
"The more I watch this show back I can see my brain working in complete overdrive trying not to blurt it all out.
"Laughing and making jokes in hard times [handshake emoji] me. And I am in-fact under your bed.”
On Wednesday, she revealed she has been diagnosed with “early breast cancer” - prompting an outpouring of support from celebrity friends.
The Price Tag singer said she plans on undergoing surgery following her performance at this month’s Summertime Ball.
Jessie, whose full name is Jessica Cornish, said she announced her diagnosis publicly to help her process the news, and to show solidarity with others who are going through a similar experience.
Jessie welcomed her son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, in 2023, with her partner Chanan Safir Colman, having miscarried in November 2021.
She has battled with ill health throughout her life, having been diagnosed with a heart condition aged eight, suffering a minor stroke aged 18 and having briefly gone deaf in 2020.
Jessie is scheduled to perform at Capital’s Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium on Sunday June 15.
