The US Office star Jenna Fischer has sent her support to Lucy Davis after she shared her diagnosis of incurable breast cancer.

Davis, 53, portrayed Dawn Tinsley in Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s classic UK mockumentary sitcom. Writing on Instagram on Tuesday (August 11), the actor explained that she had received her diagnosis 18 months ago, but had kept it private.

“A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer, which has metastasised to my bones,” Davis said. “Specifically to my spine, right hip and my ribs. The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo.”

Davis, who is the daughter of comedian Jasper Carrott, shared her desire to “keep working” despite her illness. “I’m perfectly able to do so, and acting is one of the biggest joys in my life,” she wrote.

She also told her followers that she was “trying to live out whatever might be left of my life in as fun a way as I possibly can”.

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The comments section of the post is flooded with well-wishes for Davis, including messages from The Office star/co-creator Gervais, and Fischer from the hit US version of the show.

Fischer played receptionist Pam Beesly – Dawn’s counterpart – between 2005 and 2013. She herself shared in 2024 that she had been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of breast cancer the year prior, but was cancer-free following treatment.

In response to Davis’ update this week, Fischer wrote: “Beautiful post. Love you lots. And yes to working with cancer! Let’s spread that message far and wide! How working is such a comfort!”

When writing about her diagnosis previously, Fischer urged her followers to book their annual mammograms and ask their doctors to “calculate your Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score and get any additional screenings required”.

Last summer, Davis made a guest appearance on the Office Ladies podcast – co-hosted by Fischer and her former co-star Angela Kinsey.

Dawn’s will-they-won’t-they romance with Martin Freeman’s Tim Canterbury was central to the emotional core of The Office, which aired between 2001 and 2003.

Davis’ other acting credits include Shaun Of The Dead, Wonder Woman, Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina, Pride And Prejudice, Ugly Betty, Family Guy and Black Books.

Other messages of support for Davis in her post came from previous Sabrina actor Melissa Joan Hart and Shaun Of The Dead director Edgar Wright.

This year marked the 25th anniversary of The Office, with Freeman and Mackenzie Crook reuniting for a BBC retrospective special last month.