Love Story’s Constance Zimmer opens up about private Breast Cancer battle

The 55-year-old kept her treatment private for several months but shared the news on Instagram over the weekend to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Zimmer explained that she was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), also known as Stage 0 breast cancer, on March 13th.

She said she was away from home when her doctor delivered the news over Zoom, describing the moment as one of “silence” and shock.

After telling her husband and returning home to tell their daughter in person, Constance said the mental toll of the diagnosis was difficult as she started meeting with doctors to discuss her options.

She explained that a number of doctors recommended a mastectomy as the quickest way to remove the cancer, but she wasn't sure that was the route she wanted to take.

“I want to save my boob,” she said, explaining that she eventually spoke to breast surgeon Dr Kristi Funk, who believed a lumpectomy could be an option.

The actress ultimately underwent three surgeries over three weeks, with her breast successfully saved.

She then went through radiation treatment while continuing with the press tour for Love Story, in which she played Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's mum.

Now, she says she is cancer-free.

Sharing photos from both her time in hospital and her life afterwards, Constance said the last seven months had been filled with “shock and fear” as well as “joy and gratitude”.

She is now speaking publicly about her experience in the hope that it encourages other women to get checked.

The actress is also set to discuss her diagnosis and treatment in more detail on her Talk Fifty To Me podcast, with her breast surgeon.