Jessie J: Changing the Narrative About Cancer and Women's Health
Jessie J says she's determined to 'change the narrative' about having cancer. The 37 year old, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, has spoken candidly about her early breast cancer diagnosis and how it has transformed her approach to life. The mother-of-one, who grew up in Chadwell Heath on the Essex border, revealed in June that she had been diagnosed with the disease, with her initial surgery taking place weeks afterwards.
Shifting Perceptions and Resilience
Jessie is determined to shift perceptions surrounding cancer and said: "Surely this is an opportunity to change that narrative: 'Oh, if you've got cancer, you should go away and deal with it privately, quietly. No one should know about it.'" Speaking to Women's Health UK, Jessie discussed how she delayed her surgery that month to perform at Capital's Summertime Ball. She explained: "We're not handcuffed to having to sit down and be quiet and cry because we've got cancer. I'm going to sing Bang Bang as loud as I can."
She remains hopeful that her outspoken approach to discussing the illness, rather than retreating from public view, is making a difference. "I hear all the time from people who say that a friend checked her breasts after seeing me talking about it," she continued. "They found a lump, and it's cancer, but they've caught it early."
Impact on Career and Tour Schedule
In August, the singer-songwriter disclosed that she required a second operation before the year's end, forcing her to delay her tour. Her UK and European tour dates have been rescheduled to April 2026, whilst the American portion of the tour has been scrapped entirely. Despite these setbacks, her most recent album, Don't Tease Me With A Good Time, was released on November 28, marking her first studio album in nearly ten years.
Tour and Performance Status
| Event / Region | Status and Timing |
|---|---|
| UK and European Tour | Rescheduled to April 2026 |
| American Portion of Tour | Scrapped entirely |
| Initial Cancer Surgery | Taking place weeks after June diagnosis |
| Second Operation | Required before the year's end |
A Lifelong Journey of Health Challenges
Jessie has faced numerous health challenges throughout her life. She said: "Since I was young, so many things have happened to me. I've always had obscure health issues that (doctors) can't figure out." These health milestones include:
- A heart condition diagnosis at eight years old.
- A minor stroke at 18.
- Temporary deafness in 2020.
- A miscarriage she experienced in November 2021.
Following her operations, she made her return to the stage in September at BBC's Radio 2 in the Park in Chelmsford. In November, she was spotted hugging the Princess of Wales at the Royal Variety Performance, a moment she later characterised as a "mum to mum" encounter, though both women share the common experience of undergoing cancer treatment whilst in the public spotlight.
Support for Others
Jessie also discussed with Women's Health how she reached out to presenter Davina McCall, who revealed her breast cancer diagnosis through an Instagram post. She said: "I've never spoken to [Davina] before, but I reached out and said, 'This is what's helped me, maybe it can help you.'" Her advice to anyone is the same thing she says to anyone who's pregnant or been told they've got cancer: "This is your thing. You create the bubble that you need to survive."