Becca Devens has had a long year. First, her husband Rick Devens‘ Season 50 run on Survivor premiered in February, then her husband went on to win big on Big Brother, and now Becca has revealed that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Becca, a nurse and mom of two, known to many through her social media interactions with fans, posted the joint Instagram message with her husband, Survivor alum Devens, revealing that she was diagnosed with cancer shortly after his Big Brother win.
The video begins with Becca and Survivor star Devens side by side in their home. “We just wanted to let you know some important news because it would be, I feel like, it’d be weird if we didn’t tell you before I had to go have surgery. So, um, Rick won Big Brother,” Becca starts the video. Devens interjects, saying, “That’s not the news though.”
Devens got his start on Survivor, where he played in two seasons. Then he turned around and spent the summer on Big Brother this year, where he won a whopping $810,000 on October 1. He won $750,000 for winning the game, an additional $50,000 for being voted America’s Favorite Player by fans, and an extra $10,000 from the season’s “pharaoh’s curse” twist.
Becca continues explaining in the post that shortly after the whirlwind Big Brother season ended on a high note for the family, she came home and, because of her regular mammograms, doctors found cancer. “We caught it early because I do my mammograms like a good girl, and I’m going to get a double mastectomy, and that’ll be fun, but because we caught it early we think that’s all we have to do, which is great,” she explained.
Mammograms can help medical professionals catch cancer early, according to Breastcancer.org. Experts recommend that women at average risk of breast cancer start getting yearly mammograms at age 40, with earlier screening if risk is higher. The American Cancer Society estimates that 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
While fewer men are at risk for breast cancer due to less breast tissue, 1 in 755 men are at risk, most often in older men, according to the Mayo Clinic and American Cancer Society. Men at higher genetic risk may also be asked by their doctor to get regular mammograms.
“We’ll keep people posted, but I have an MRI Tuesday, and after that I’ll know for sure that it’s where we think it is, which would be great, and if you guys just want to send good vibes and prayers for that, that’s awesome.”
Devens ends the post saying, “send her good vibes.”
Friends and fans have already started to rally around Becca. Director, fan, and friend of the family, James Gunn, commented, “So much love for you guys right now.” Many of Devens’ castmates from both reality shows also poured out their love, and some shared their own experiences.
Everyone should be aware of the appearance and feel of their chest and breasts. If there is any new lump, thickening of the skin, skin changes such as dimpling or color changes, nipple changes, or nipple discharge, check in with a medical professional.
Resources that explain how to self-examine for breast abnormalities are available online for women, men, and people who identify as non-binary.
