Inside Clea Shearer’s Brave Three-Year Cancer Journey: ‘I’ve Fought and Fought and Fought’
After her 2022 diagnosis, Clea Shearer’s powerful cancer journey continues to inspire thousands
Since her diagnosis in March 2022, Netflix star and founder of The Home Edit, Clea Shearer, has been an example of strength and resilience for women everywhere. Over the past three years, the 43-year-old mom of two has undergone eight surgeries, a double mastectomy and weeks of radiation. She shared every step and setback on social media, inspiring others and making women feel seen.
Clea Shearer’s breast cancer diagnosis
On March 8, 2022, Shearer was diagnosed with an “aggressive and fast-moving” form of breast cancer, after doctors found two tumors in her breast, according to Today. She announced her diagnosis on April 7 on Instagram to her 277,000 followers, writing, “I have breast cancer. It’s a hard thing to say, but it’s easier than keeping it to myself.”
In the post, Shearer said that she found the lumps the last week of February and tried to make an appointment to be seen for months, but they couldn’t accommodate her. “I had to request a mammogram from my general doctor, which led to an ultrasound, and then an emergency triple biopsy,” she wrote.
The road to recovery
One month later, Shearer underwent a double mastectomy, but she didn’t wake up to good news post-surgery. During the procedure, doctors found that the cancer had made its way into her lymph nodes, meaning chemo and radiation were a necessity. On April 17, Shearer announced on Instagram that she would undergo a second surgery the next day to address her dying skin tissue, also known as necrosis.
With her breasts and lumps of cancer removed, Shearer began chemotherapy on May 19. The co-host of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition posted about the milestone on Instagram saying, “And now I get to play the very fun game of: ‘Is this a side effect?’ for the next 5 months. But right now I’m only focusing on today, and today I feel pretty decent! I’ll take the win where I can get it.”
Throughout chemo, Shearer shared updates on her health, family and uplifting messages. She used her platform to raise awareness and show that while cancer impacted her day-to-day, she wasn’t defined by it. During this time, Shearer also underwent an emergency blood transfusion. On September 8, six months after her diagnosis, Shearer finished chemo. She posted on Instagram, writing, “I still have radiation ahead of me and additional hormone therapy, but I am kissing the chemo goodbye and that’s something to celebrate.”
Shearer announced that she was cancer-free on November 22, 2022, in a heartfelt post on Instagram. She wrote, “As my treatment journey comes to a close (although, it will never be over!) I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. The outpouring of love will stay with me always.”
Shearer’s surgical setbacks
Shearer is still cancer-free, but in the years following her diagnosis, she has faced countless setbacks, particularly with her right breast. Between a necrosis operation, blood transfusion and countless reconstructive surgeries, she’s undergone eight surgeries.
On April 15, 2025 Shearer posted a photo of herself in a hospital bed, writing, “From the lack of skin I retained following necrosis, to the severe damage radiation caused to my breast and surrounding areas (both inside and out), I have fought and fought and fought to salvage what I could over the course of 8 surgeries. And today I lost the war,” she continued. “I had no choice but to completely remove my right implant which means I’m right back to post mastectomy state. After a 3 year journey, I can’t quite put into words how traumatizing this is for me.” Shearer hasn’t given the public any more information on what the next steps are or if she plans to get another set of prosthetic breasts implanted.
Following the most recent surgery, Shearer announced the release of her new book, Cancer is Complicated: And Other Unexpected Lessons I’ve Learned. “This book is for everyone touched by this disease. Whether you’re going through treatment, or love someone who is. Whether you’re a survivor, or at the earliest stage of diagnosis. I wrote this book to make people feel less alone, less afraid, and more prepared for what’s to come,” she wrote in a post.
Shearer’s ongoing cancer journey has been filled with setbacks, sharp turns and surprises. Over the past three years, she’s shared the heartache and hope that comes along with her health battle, making women across the country feel seen and understood. Shearer’s cancer story reminds women that there is light at the end and, of course, that “Cancer is Complicated.”
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