‘Bang Bang’ Singer Jessie J, 37, Explains Why She Doesn’t Feel ‘Handcuffed’ Because She’s Battling Breast Cancer, Urges Other Patients to Find an Outlet to Reclaim Control of Their Lives

Singer Jessie J, 37, stepped into her breast cancer journey last year with remarkable honesty and courage. As treatment progressed, she found not only the strength to keep fighting but also the determination to keep fully living — especially by doing what she loves most: singing.

“I’m going to sing Bang Bang as loud as I can,” she told the Irvine Times, reflecting on her return to the stage.

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Jessie J, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, is known for powerhouse hits like “Bang Bang” and “Domino.” The mother of one announced at the end of last year that, as she prepared for another breast cancer surgery, she needed to cancel U.S. shows and postpone European dates ahead of her new album’s release.

“I feel frustrated and sad, but I need to be better. I need to be healed,” Jessie shared in a candid Instagram post.

 

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Jessie J admitted feeling a sense of guilt that not everyone undergoing cancer surgery gets a moment like hers. “There were 80,000 people cheering — not because I could sing well or wear an outfit they liked. It was, ‘We love you, we’re behind you, and we hope this goes well.’”

In a raw interview with The Guardian, Jessie reflected on the experience of surgery: “I hate being put under. They walk you down… You feel like you’re in an episode of Black Mirror.”

She didn’t shy away from the realities of her journey, adding, “Cancer sucks, man, but thank f— I found it early. I had the mastectomy four months ago… I got to keep the nipple, though.”

Though Jessie’s treatment plan called for a mastectomy, Dr. Ann Partridge, an oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, says there are a number of factors to weigh when considering a mastectomy, chief among them is whether breast-conserving surgery (or lumpectomy) is possible. Your doctor will look at the size and features of your tumor as well as your family history in order to make a recommendation.

“When I talk to a woman who comes to me and she has breast cancer, I evaluate what the standard options for treatment for her are, which typically include cutting out the cancer– which is either a lumpectomy if you can get it all with just a little scooping around of the area that’s abnormal or a mastectomy for some women meaning taking the full breast because sometimes these lesions can be very extensive in the breast,” Dr. Partridge explains.

If you’ve had a mastectomy, breast reconstruction is one of the major issues to consider. There are several options available. The reconstruction process can happen at the time of the surgery to remove the breast, or later on in the case of implants. Some women opt for no reconstruction, but decide later on that they want reconstruction to restore a sense of self, or simply get back to the way they used to look.

WATCH: Breast Reconstruction: Regaining Your Sense of Self

“Breast reconstruction is about restoring both a woman’s form and her sense of self,” explains Dr. Andrea Pusic, Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. It’s a deeply personal decision, and today’s surgical options can create breasts that look natural and real.

Immediate reconstruction can produce better results than delayed reconstruction, resulting in fewer surgeries. However, it may require a more extended initial hospitalization and recovery time. This long surgery may also have a higher risk of complications, such as infections, than two separate surgeries.

It may be worth noting that “Delayed reconstruction has fewer complications than immediate reconstruction,” Dr. Terry Myckatyn, a plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction, told SurvivorNet.

When implants are used, the procedure can take two to three hours (so the total surgery time would be around five hours). During reconstruction, one can also take one’s own tissue (usually from the belly area) and transfer it to the breast area.

After breast cancer surgery, women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer may also need chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy.

Dr. Terry Myckatyn, a breast reconstruction specialist at Washington University in St. Louis, emphasizes that the process is collaborative: “It’s a shared decision-making process between the patient and the physician. The patient needs to advocate for herself and make her goals clear. The physician needs to provide clear, logical, evidence-based explanations for their recommendations.”

WATCH: How some women may keep their breast size and shape in cancer surgery.

Plastic surgeons typically reconstruct breasts using either implants or tissue taken from another part of the body—such as the back, abdomen, or inner thigh. This tissue-based approach, known as a flap procedure, often produces breasts that look and feel more natural than implants and can change with your body over time, for example, with weight gain or loss.

However, flap procedures involve more extensive surgery, longer recovery, and additional scarring—both at the breast and at the donor site. They may also weaken muscles where tissue is taken, and not all patients are candidates. Women who smoke or have certain health conditions, such as poorly controlled diabetes, circulation problems, or connective tissue disorders, may not be eligible.

Implant-based reconstruction usually requires fewer surgeries, smaller incisions, and less scarring, allowing for a quicker return to daily life. The trade-off is that implants don’t adapt to body changes, which can make them look less natural over time. Implants also carry risks of leakage or rupture, which would require replacement.

Every surgical option comes with risks. Understanding those risks—and weighing them against your personal goals—is essential before making a decision.

Another aspect of breast cancer surgery involves the possibility of sparing the nipple.

Jessie J expressed gratitude after her surgery that she “got to keep the nipple.” While we do not have enough information to know for sure, it is possible she received a Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy.

WATCH: Understanding Nipple-Sparing Mastectomies

During a nipple-sparing mastectomy, doctors use special techniques to remove a woman’s breast, leaving the skin and the nipple intact. The idea is to maintain, as close as possible anyway, the natural look of the breast. After a mastectomy, a plastic surgeon will use either an implant or the woman’s own tissue to recreate the breast. When a woman’s own tissue is used, doctors typically take it from fat in the patient’s lower abdomen.

“Nipple-sparing mastectomy, or nipple-preserving mastectomy, differentiates itself from the traditional mastectomy where the nipple was not saved,” Dr. Irene Wapnir, a surgical oncologist and breast surgeon at Stanford University Medical Center, explains to SurvivorNet.

“It’s the ideal procedure for those women who choose to have prophylactic mastectomy who don’t yet have breast cancer, who will choose that route because they have a strong family history of breast cancer, or if they’ve been tested and are a carrier of a mutation, a gene mutation, that predisposes them to a much higher risk of developing breast cancer,” Dr. Wapnir explains.

Now using her platform to uplift others facing cancer, Jessie continues to push back against stereotypes about what survivorship should look like. “We’re not handcuffed to having to sit down and be quiet and cry because we’ve got cancer,” she says.

Better Understanding Jessie’s Journey

Jessie’s diagnosis—early-stage breast cancer—typically involves a small tumor with no lymph node involvement. Her treatment included a mastectomy and breast reconstruction, a process many women face with varying options and outcomes.

Dr. Elisa Port, Chief of Breast Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System, explains that “Most women do opt to have some reconstruction.”

Reconstruction can be immediate (during mastectomy) or delayed (months or years later), with techniques ranging from implants to using a woman’s own tissue. While immediate reconstruction often leads to fewer surgeries and better cosmetic results, it may also involve longer recovery and a higher risk of complications.

“Before ‘No Secrets’ came out, I was diagnosed with early breast cancer … Cancer sucks in any form, but I’m holding onto the word early. I have been in and out of tests throughout this whole period. I just wanted to be open and share it,” Jessie said in an Instagram post.

In a follow-up post, she admitted that even as she continued performing and creating, she hadn’t fully processed the emotional weight of her diagnosis.

“One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I’m not processing it because I’m working so hard. I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support, and also their own stories. I’m an open book.”

That vulnerability extended beyond her own experience. Jessie expressed deep empathy for others facing similar or more severe battles, acknowledging the shared pain that often goes unseen.

“It breaks my heart that other people are going through so much similar, and worse. That’s the bit that kills me.”

Even in the midst of physical discomfort, Jessie’s commitment to her craft—and her fans—never wavered. She posted a clip from a recent performance, revealing that she had undergone five breast biopsies the night before taking the stage.

“I was in some discomfort, but so hyped to do it, and I didn’t want to cancel. The more I watch this show back, I can see my brain working in complete overdrive, trying not to blurt it all out.”

Weeks after undergoing breast cancer surgery, Jessie noted how her hair was beginning to fall out.

“My hair has been falling out like crazy since the surgery,” Jessie said.

Hair loss is a common side effect of breast cancer treatment. On the flipside, after treatment, hair tends to regrow.

Jessie J’s journey is a powerful reminder that illness doesn’t erase identity. Through humor, honesty, and heart, she’s showing the world what resilience truly looks like.

Why Self-Advocacy in Healthcare Can Be Life-Saving

When patients actively advocate for their health, it can lead to earlier diagnoses, broader treatment options, and ultimately better outcomes—especially when initial symptoms are overlooked or dismissed.

Part of this advocacy means not settling for a single medical opinion. Persistence matters: revisiting your doctor, pushing for answers, and seeking additional perspectives from other healthcare providers can be crucial steps in the journey.

WATCH: The value of getting a second opinion

Dr. Steven Rosenberg, Chief of Surgery at the National Cancer Institute, underscored this point in a conversation with SurvivorNet:

“If I had any advice for you following a cancer diagnosis, it would be, first, to seek out multiple opinions as to the best care. Because finding a doctor who is up to date with the latest information is important,” Dr. Rosenberg said.

His words are a powerful reminder that having the right medical team can make all the difference—and that begins with being your own strongest advocate.

Getting another opinion may also help you avoid doctor biases. For example, some surgeons own radiation treatment centers. “So there may be a conflict of interest if you present to a surgeon who is recommending radiation because there is some ownership of that type of facility,” Dr. Jim Hu, director of robotic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center, tells SurvivorNet.

Other reasons to get a second opinion include:

• To see a doctor who has more experience treating your type of cancer
• You have a rare type of cancer
• There are several ways to treat your cancer
• You feel like your doctor isn’t listening to you, or isn’t giving you sound advice
• You have trouble understanding your doctor
• You don’t like the treatment your doctor is recommending, or you’re worried about its possible side effects
• Your insurance company wants you to get another medical opinion
• Your cancer isn’t improving on your current treatment

WATCH: The Importance Of Getting A Second Opinion: Tara Lessard Shares Her Cancer Story.

Tara Lessard is another woman who refused to follow the lead of just one medical opinion. After her 2015 stage 4 ovarian cancer diagnosis, she underwent 21 rounds of chemotherapy and battled severe side effects, including neuropathy that left her temporarily wheelchair-bound.

Unwilling to settle for standardized treatment, Lessard sought multiple opinions—ultimately choosing a cancer center that offered tailored care, including a spleen removal, alternative chemo, and a PARP inhibitor that kept her cancer-free for a year. Despite recurrence in 2018, Tara’s key message was clear: your opinion does matter when it comes to your own cancer treatment. So, get a second opinion if you want one.

Some health insurance companies will cover the cost of a second opinion. Still, it’s a good idea to find out if yours does before you visit a new doctor, as some insurance companies have stipulations on the extent of coverage they will provide.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to stop at a second opinion. Provided that you have the time and financial resources, you may want to consider getting a third or a fourth opinion. Just don’t get so many opinions that your treatment options overwhelm you.

With each new doctor you visit, bring a copy of your:

• Pathology report from your biopsy or surgery
• Surgical report
• Imaging tests
• The treatment plan that your current doctor recommended
  

Helping You Cope With a Diagnosis

It’s unclear what the second surgery will be for Jessie, but knowing you have additional cancer surgery awaiting you can upend your mental health.
Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik explains that emotional responses can shift from day to day, sometimes bringing unexpected waves of stress or uncertainty.

“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid,” Dr. Plutchik says. “You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support—whether that’s a therapist, friends, family, or both—to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions.”

If your emotional well-being begins to feel significantly impacted, seeking mental health support may be beneficial. Options for care include traditional talk therapy, medication, lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet modifications, joining a support group, or other personalized approaches.

Here are a few ways to help manage the emotional toll of a breast cancer diagnosis:

• Lean on loved ones. Open up to your family and close friends, allowing them to step in and offer support. Many cancer survivors express a strong need for assistance but struggle to ask for help—encourage those around you to offer practical aid, whether it’s meals, transportation, or simply a listening ear.
• Keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts and emotions can be a powerful way to process feelings. A journal provides a safe space to express yourself and reflect on your journey.
• Join a cancer support group. Local and online groups offer an opportunity to connect with others who are facing similar experiences. Learning from others and sharing your story can provide comfort and strength on difficult days.
• Consider therapy. Speaking with a mental health professional can help you navigate fears and concerns in a safe, supportive environment. Sometimes, vocalizing emotions rather than keeping them inside makes a meaningful difference in coping with stress.

While the path may feel uncertain, finding the right support system and coping strategies can make a profound impact on your mental and emotional well-being. Breast cancer is a challenge, but you are not alone—and healing happens in many ways beyond the physical.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about how to keep your strength through treatment. Here are a few questions to help you begin the conversation:

• • What treatment will I be receiving?
  • What side effects are associated with this treatment?
  • Are there steps I can take daily to help minimize these side effects?
  • What physical activity routine do you recommend for me during treatment?
  • Do you have recommendations for someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy exercise

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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