Big Bang Theory star Kate Micucci informed fans of her recovery from surgery for lung cancer in a video taken from her hospital bed.
The 43-year-old comedian and musician, who portrayed the shy character of Lucy on The Big Bang Theory, posted a clip on TikTok captioned "An update on what I’ve been up to."
Instead of calling it a TikTok, she referred to her recent post as a "SickTok."
In the video, a bespectacled, hospital gown-clad Micucci explained she was in the hospital after undergoing lung cancer surgery the day before.
"They caught it really early," she said of her diagnosis, adding:
"It's pretty weird because I've never smoked a cigarette in my life, so …it was a surprise. But I also guess it happens."
She also said the "greatest news" was the fact that the cancer was caught early enough to be removed.
"I'm all good," she said.
She continued:
"It's been a little bit of a trip and probably will be moving slow for a few weeks but then I'll be back at it."
Fans wished her a speedy recovery.
@katiemicucci/TikTok
@katiemicucci/TikTok
@katiemicucci/TikTok
@katiemicucci/TikTok
@katiemicucci/TikTok
@katiemicucci/TikTok
@katiemicucci/TikTok
The video segued to clips of her walking around the hospital in her gown and commenting on the artwork adorning the hallways, and a snapshot of her holding up a box of Frosted Flakes and a banana from her breakfast in bed.
Micucci, who is also a visual artist and a cartoonist, said she looks forward to painting again soon.
When a commenter asked what prompted Micucci to get it checked out and if she's had any symptoms, she replied:
"I had one thing in my bloodwork that came back really high."
"So I went to a preventative doc who did a few scans. He scanned my heart and that’s where the spot in my lung was noticed."
Lung cancer can be caused by factors other than smoking cigarettes, pipes, or cigars, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).
Risk factors for lung cancer can include "exposure to other people’s smoke (called secondhand smoke), radon, air pollution, a family history of lung cancer, and asbestos."
The organization noted that in the U.S., 10% to 20% of lung cancers each year happen in people who've never smoked or have smoked less than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.
However, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force "does not recommend lung cancer screening for people who have never smoked."
You can lower your risk of getting lung cancer by avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke, diesel exhaust, asbestos, arsenic, and some forms of silica and chromium.
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