November 17, 2025, 3:19 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Actress Nicole Eggert has been going through an extremely difficult time both physically and mentally for about two years. In 2023, she was diagnosed with cribriform carcinoma, a rare form of breast cancer. Since then, she has undergone a series of taxing therapies and remains in treatment. On social media, she consistently speaks openly about her feelings and concerns regarding her illness. She recently thanked her body for carrying her through this phase marked by pain and surgeries.
Nicole Eggert Thanks Her Body in the Fight Against Cancer
She leaves no room for rumors and speculation: From the start, U.S. actress Nicole Eggert has taken an open and direct approach to dealing with her breast cancer diagnosis. Since the diagnosis in 2023, she has shared her experiences with therapies, surgeries, and setbacks in interviews and via social media with the public. In a recent Instagram post, the 53-year-old expressed her gratitude and admiration for her body.
On some days, she is shocked by what her body has endured, she writes. “And then I remember how much it has been there for me. And still is.” She places all her trust in her body—”she can do it,” Nicole Eggert believes.
Her words reflect a deep connection with her body. She consciously chooses the feminine pronoun “she”—grammatically correct would be “it” for “body.” This is to be seen as an expression of familiarity and love. Her body is not her enemy—even though it is the one afflicted by breast cancer. It is her armor in the fight against the disease.
From the Diagnosis of Her Rare Condition to Therapy
In the 1990s, Nicole Eggert became known to an international audience through the cult series “Baywatch” in the role of Summer Quinn. Beyond that, she appeared in various American films and series that received attention primarily in the domestic market. In Germany, she initially faded from the public eye until she made her breast cancer diagnosis public.
It was in the winter of 2023 when she felt a lump in her breast. After a mammogram and several tissue examinations, the suspicion of breast cancer was confirmed. Specifically, Eggert was diagnosed with cribriform carcinoma at stage II. The first step of her treatment was months of chemotherapy. It was effective, but Eggert’s body also reacted with the unwanted side effects of the treatment.
When Nicole Eggert began losing her hair, she took control: She shaved her head. She shared the result boldly and with a touch of self-irony on Instagram—specifically: with the comment “egghead,” accompanied by heart emojis.
The intensive treatments left marks beyond hair loss. For instance, her face was severely swollen at times. She did not hide—she was seen on the streets of Los Angeles as well as on red carpets during this time. Nicole Eggert also continued working on her own documentary, “After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun.” “We filmed the scenes on days when I felt well enough to get up and speak in front of the camera,” she told “Bild” at the time.
In August 2024, she gave the U.S. magazine “People” an update on her condition. She was doing well; she was “in a kind of gray area” of her treatment. The chemotherapy was initially completed, but she was still receiving radiation therapy, followed by surgery.
First Mastectomy in September 2024
Eggert had implants placed for her role in “Baywatch”—a decision she later regretted, as she repeatedly noted. Now she had her breasts removed. Before the procedure, she was nervous, she admitted in an interview with “Bild.” “But I can feel the tumor, the mass in my breast. It’s very painful, and I just want to get rid of my breasts,” the star continued.
It wasn’t just one surgery. Almost a year later, in August 2025, she posted a photo of her reflection with a compression garment. “I had a mastectomy with reconstruction on Thursday. And how was your weekend?” was the comment. She received a lot of support from her followers, including friends, in the form of comments like “You look great!!! Warrior!”
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Hormone Treatment for Another 10 Years
Following the second breast surgery, the possibility of a hysterectomy was temporarily considered, as Nicole Eggert reported to “Fox News.” A hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus, is considered specifically for hormone-dependent breast cancer. The intention is to lower hormone levels to reduce the risk of recurrence. However, there is no evidence that the procedure was actually performed on Nicole Eggert, neither in media reports nor on her Instagram channel. It seems more likely that her doctors opted for hormone treatment for further care. This includes taking medication and a monthly estrogen blocker injection for about ten years.
Hopeful for the Future
In a conversation with the “New York Post,” Nicole Eggert expressed her happiness with the outcome of her second surgery—and thus with her overall condition. “My doctor was great, he made me the sweetest little breasts,” she gushed. After the mastectomy and reconstruction, no tumor remnants could be detected.
But Nicole Eggert is not yet healthy. After cancer treatment, one is only considered cured if there are no signs of a recurrence (relapse) over a period of five years. And even then, a recurrence is never completely ruled out. Eggert remains strong and hopeful. By sharing her experiences publicly, she not only encourages other affected individuals but also helps raise awareness about breast cancer. This also applies to other prominent individuals who share their stories. Increased awareness of the disease and the use of preventive examinations can significantly improve survival chances for breast cancer.