Amanda Peet reveals 'excruciating' breast cancer battle in new essay

Actress Amanda Peet has disclosed her diagnosis of Stage I breast cancer in a poignant essay for The New Yorker titled 'My Season of Ativan'.

The Something’s Gotta Give star revealed that the discovery occurred last year during a period when both of her parents were receiving hospice care.

Following a routine ultrasound that raised immediate concerns, her surgeon, Dr K., performed a biopsy. Peet recalled the gravity of the moment: “She told me that she didn’t like the way something looked on the ultrasound and wanted to perform a biopsy.”

Subsequent testing confirmed the tumour was hormone-receptor-positive and HER2-negative, which indicated a more manageable strain.

Peet described her husband, Game of Thrones co-creator David Benioff, awaiting the results with her before receiving a reassuring text: “All poodle features!” Despite this, the journey remained fraught with anxiety after a second mass was discovered.

Following an “excruciating” MRI-guided biopsy, the additional mass was found to be benign, allowing Peet to proceed with a lumpectomy and radiation rather than more invasive treatments.

The actress underwent a challenging course of radiation that coincided with deep personal grief. Peet described the physical toll of her final sessions: “Radiation wasn’t bad compared with Tom’s waffle iron—until the last stretch, when my nipple became charred and blistered, like an over-roasted marshmallow.”

She confirmed receiving a clear scan earlier this year, shortly before the passing of her mother. Reflecting on their final moments together, she noted: “Time was running out, and, besides, I had already told her everything.”