The “Frasier” star’s breast cancer diagnosis freed her from her fears

When Toks Olagundoye looks back on the day she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she remembers it clearly. The Nigerian actress experienced an avalanche of emotions, but not those that you simply would necessarily expect.

“At first I was annoyed,” she tells ESSENCE with a chuckle, explaining that she had already had a mammogram, so she thought she knew what to anticipate from her doctor. “He calls and says everything is fine, and I keep going,” says Toks. This time, nonetheless, that was not the case. Olagundoye was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, which in accordance with American Cancer Societyis a more “aggressive type of invasive breast cancer” that may spread quickly, has fewer treatment options and can have worse outcomes. Black women, women under 40, and girls with a BRCA1 mutation usually tend to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer than women in other demographic groups.

Discovery Calm within the storm

However, the wife and mother admit that the diagnosis also brought an unexpected sense of relief. Olagundoye’s family history of cancer is extensive and has all the time been predictive of diagnosis. “There is a lot of cancer in my family, especially on my mother’s side,” she says. “All my life I thought I would probably get something. I thought, “Well, I don’t have to worry about getting anything anymore.” Now I’ve dealt with it, I can fix it and move on.”

The diagnosis got here while she was a part of the solid of the Paramount+ series. Due to the diagnosis, she underwent five surgeries, including a double mastectomy and chemotherapy. Despite the rigorous treatment plan, the actress continued to work and tackle latest projects.

“Luckily I didn’t have to work every day and they were really good with my schedule because I had three surgeries during the show,” she recalled. “I’m lucky because I love what I do.”

After the filming was accomplished, the actress with a theater education modified the topic and through treatment she only accepted voice-over projects. Her manager and agent never hesitated to alter things and ask for extensions on assignments and deadlines when she was too drained from chemotherapy to work. She also confesses the support of her loving husband and fogeys who helped her survive this difficult period. “I received really good support. My mother and husband drove me around Los Angeles,” she said. “I sat with gratitude for most of it.”

Opportunities amidst adversity

The additional blessing she had been grateful for throughout the battle got here in the shape of a brand new opportunity. She selected to play Olivia Finch, head of Harvard University’s psychology department, within the Paramount+ reboot of the classic comedy series.

“When I got it, it was two weeks after my last chemotherapy. I was exhausted but very grateful,” she says. “There are so many people on the show that I have always wanted to work with. I was honored and proud to represent the black community on a show that was so white.”

Before her diagnosis, Olagundoye was overthinking to the purpose of hysteria. But this time her experience didn’t allow it. From the primary day on the set of the series, she felt that something was just different.

“I used to be very excited to be there. I assumed: Just come and memorize your lines. That’s all you want to do. I just listened to what the administrators and producers told me and did my best to point out it and be present. Everything prepared itself because that is all I could do,” she says. “It was a truly emancipating experience. I usually worry about whether I’m doing my job well. I had just been hired looking the worst I had ever looked in my life, so I thought, “I actually have nothing to fret about.” I actually have a terrific job and I’m just going to take a seat there.

Adding to this gift is the exceptional team on set. She praises the solid and crew and its leader, Kelsey Grammer.

“He did a lot for Black people on television,” he says. “He’s a person who insisted I wear my natural hair, and after I desired to wear braids, he said, ‘I feel it’s beautiful.’ This is what white men should do. Use your power to assist everyone else. Representation is so essential to him, our writers room is amazing.”

The actress found that her newfound sense of peace as an alternative of hysteria and intimidation would carry over to other areas of her life as well.

“I realize that everything will happen as it happens, whether you are worried or not. There is no reason to raise cortisol and drive everyone crazy. I don’t want to upset anyone else. I don’t want to make anyone’s day worse.” she says. “I’m glad my son won’t learn this level of anxiety from me.”

The power of self-care

In addition to learning to let go of such concerns, breast cancer has made Olagundoye a staunch advocate of self-care for black women.

“We deserve it. We have been taught that we don’t deserve the life we ​​have. We have been taught that we must accept the crumbs they give us. We deserve the best,” he says. “If you look at black women and what we do and give to the world, we are valuable.”

She emphasizes that taking good care of yourself includes leading a healthy lifestyle, constructing a trusted healthcare team, getting annual exams and knowing the fundamentals of breast health.

“If we don’t take care of ourselves, who will take care of our families?” – Olagundoye asks. “Go to the annual meetings. Learn to look at your breasts. Get to know your breasts and the way they feel so when you might have a lump that should not be there. If you are feeling like there’s something incorrect with you, when you feel there’s something incorrect along with your body, go consult with your doctor. If they do not take heed to you, go consult with another person. I do not care if it takes you seven months to search out someone, keep going until you do. Until you get the imaging or tests you would like. If you’ll be able to afford it, get genetic testing. We deserve the most effective.”