Best-selling novelist Jane Fallon has revealed a breast cancer diagnosis and is set to have surgery later this month.
The 65-year-old writer, known for popular titles such as Getting Rid Of Matthew and Faking Friends, is also the long-term partner of comedian Ricky Gervais.
Fallon shared the news on Instagram on Thursday, explaining that her diagnosis followed a routine breast screening, known as a mammogram, conducted late last year.
She said: “About a month ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer – very early stage thankfully & the prognosis is excellent.
“I had a routine mammogram a week before Christmas. I had no symptoms but the brilliant radiographer spotted something iffy & sent me for further tests & eventually a biopsy.
“Since then I’ve had more mammograms, more biopsies and an MRI so they can pinpoint the problem area precisely.”
The writer reassured her 35.4k followers that she is getting “incredible care” and is ready to get the treatment “over with”.
She continued: “It’s been a lot, I’m not going to lie. But, my surgery is scheduled for the week after next and I just want to get it over with now.
“I’m getting incredible care and all will be fine but I’m not engaging with much beyond audiobooks & jigsaws.”
The carousel of images included a photograph of Fallon followed by a teddy bear called Dr Eric and another photo of her cat “Nurse Pickle” wearing a digital nurse outfit.
According to the NHS, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK and can sometimes spread to other parts of the body if not treated, known as secondary breast cancer.
Symptoms include a lump, swelling in the breast, chest or armpit, change in the skin of the breast, and change in size or shape of one or both breasts.
Mammograms can help detect breast cancer that is too small to feel or see, with treatment more likely to be successful if caught early.
Fallon has written 14 books including Got You Back, Queen Bee and her latest novel Welcome to the Neighbourhood.
Her debut novel, Getting Rid of Matthew, is being adapted for film and stars Wild Child actress Emma Roberts, Legally Blonde’s Luke Wilson and The Hangover’s Heather Graham.