Constance Zimmer Reveals Secret Battle With Breast Cancer During "Love Story" Promotion
The "Love Story" actress shared her diagnosis and treatment journey, including undergoing lumpectomies and radiation while promoting the show and celebrating an Emmy nomination.
Actress Constance Zimmer, known for her role as Ann Messina Freeman in the FX series "Love Story," has revealed she privately battled breast cancer earlier this year. The 55-year-old star shared her experience on Instagram on Sunday, coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Zimmer disclosed that on March 13, she received a diagnosis of DCIS, or Stage 0 breast cancer, via Zoom. This news came as she was surrounded by colleagues discussing "Midlife truths," creating a significant personal secret she had to manage.
A Difficult Diagnosis and Treatment
Following her diagnosis, Zimmer traveled home to inform her husband and daughter in person. She described the subsequent mental toll and the process of consulting with multiple doctors. Many medical professionals initially recommended a mastectomy as the quickest way to remove the cancerous mass. However, Zimmer expressed a desire to preserve her breast.
"What if that’s not what I want? What if I want to save my boob instead?" she questioned. Fortunately, Dr. Kristi Funk suggested a lumpectomy, expressing confidence in removing the cancer while preserving Zimmer's breast. "I think we can try a lumpectomy, I feel confident I can get it out," Dr. Funk reportedly said.
Zimmer recounted weeping with joy upon hearing this. The procedure required three surgeries over three consecutive weeks, but ultimately, her breast was saved and the outcome was aesthetically pleasing. "She did it, she saved my breast and it looks good too!" Zimmer stated.
Balancing Treatment and Public Life
Remarkably, Zimmer underwent this treatment while actively participating in a public press tour for "Love Story." She managed to keep her diagnosis and treatment private during this period. Following her surgeries, she commenced radiation therapy, which coincided with her Emmy nomination for the show.
"I’m grateful to be CANCER FREE and thankful to @cathrinewhite for capturing me for the first time since my diagnosis, celebrating what my body got me through over the last 7 months: pure shock and fear alongside pure joy and gratitude," Zimmer wrote. "From hospital gowns to Emmy glamour this was one hell of a ride."
Zimmer began her career in theater before securing commercial roles and making appearances on television shows like "Ellen" and "Seinfeld." She gained significant recognition for her role as Dana Gordon in the HBO series "Entourage" and later starred as Quinn King in the Lifetime dramedy "UnReal." She is married to director Russ Lamoureux, and they have an 18-year-old daughter, Colette.