Jackie Tohn opened up about her preventative cancer treatment on live television, sharing a deeply personal story that highlights the importance of genetic testing and early intervention. During the Friday, May 15 episode of TODAY With Jenna & Sheinelle, the Nobody Wants This star, 45, revealed she underwent a double mastectomy in December 2025 after learning she had an 85 percent chance of developing breast cancer.
“Jackie is here to open up about a recent health scare and to help raise awareness about what she’s going through,” host Sheinelle Jones introduced the actress.
Tohn responded with emotional honesty, saying, “My heart just started pounding when you said that.” She added, “Okay, I got this.”
Jones reassured her, saying, “You’ve got all the things. You’re going to be alright.”
Why Did Jackie Tohn Decide to Get a Double Mastectomy?
The decision came after a series of events that highlighted the genetic risks associated with breast cancer. In January 2025, Tohn’s father discovered lumps under his arms and was diagnosed with metastatic carcinomas. Doctors were unable to determine the primary source of the cancer, leading to a panel of hereditary genetic testing. He tested positive for BRCA1, which prompted Tohn to get tested herself.
“When I was in the doctor’s office, she was like, ‘You have a 50 percent chance of having it. Let’s see what happens.’ I just went for a routine mammogram and mentioned it when I was there: ‘Oh, my dad has the BRCA1,’” she explained.
The doctor’s reaction changed instantly. “Their energy changes a bit, and they’re like, ‘Oh, maybe don’t leave today without being tested.’ You’re like, ‘Oh, this is serious, okay.’”
Jackie Did BRCA1 Testing
Tohn got tested in June 2025 after wrapping filming Season 2 of Nobody Wants This. She found out she was also BRCA1 positive. A genetic counselor then informed her that she had an 85 percent chance of developing breast cancer.
“What’s crazy is when you get a diagnosis like this, you don’t know your options. It’s like someone giving you a single nail and being like, ‘Build the house. There’s a field,’” Tohn said. “Like, huh? I said, ‘Okay, let me put on my big girl pants, and I’m just doing this.’ I had to find a whole medical team, and I love who I landed on.”
On December 1, 2025, she underwent a preventative double mastectomy.
“You did what you needed to do,” co-host Jenna Bush Hager praised her.
Jackie Tohn Admits She’s ‘Encyclopedic’ About Cancer Now
Tohn encouraged others to research whether genetic testing is right for them. “If your father didn’t mention it or didn’t know, you wouldn’t know,” Jones pointed out.
Tohn explained, “So many hundreds of things had to happen to line it up for me exactly to have this information, but they say that the three things you should look out for are rare, young and multiple.” She noted that her father’s breast cancer was “rare.”
She added, “I am now, unfortunately, encyclopedic on a topic I wish I never had to learn about, but we’re out here.”
Tohn’s story underscores the importance of awareness, family history, and proactive health decisions. Her openness serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that genetic testing can have on preventing serious illnesses.
